LTA Research is an aerospace research and development company focused on building and operating next-generation airships. The company's work centers on lighter-than-air aviation, encompassing aerospace engineering, airship design, and manufacturing. Its flagship aircraft, Pathfinder 1, is a proof-of-concept airship measuring 406.5 feet in length - currently the world's largest aircraft. The vehicle is designed to demonstrate safe, reliable, and sustainable airship transport while using 60% less fuel than traditional aircraft.
The company operates across multiple locations in Ohio, California, and Nevada. Its team draws on Akron's historic airship legacy, with technical work spanning aviation, cargo, and passenger transport applications. LTA Research describes its workforce as composed of makers, doers, and out-of-the-box thinkers working to advance American innovation in aerospace.
