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By Bill Goldston |
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July 30, 2010 - Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft, officially introduced “Project Firefly,” an all-electric helicopter technology demonstrator, at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture exhibition. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
The Firefly
Technology Demonstration Aircraft at EAA is part of the world symposium
on electric aircraft. The demonstrator is one of the main attractions in
the Chris Van Buiten, Director of Sikorsky Innovations, today delivered a “walkaround” briefing of the demonstrator during EAA today. He is scheduled to present details on Project Firefly on Friday during the GE World Symposium on Electric Aircraft, as well as Saturday during a panel discussion on electric aviation and the Sikorsky Firefly demonstrator. “Our objectives with Project Firefly are to provide a proof of principle concept to validate the benefits of an electrically powered rotorcraft; to develop the technologies to enable the manned flight of that technology, and to drive future development of improved, state-of-the-art ‘green’ technologies and practices,” Van Buiten said. |
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In building the demonstrator, the Innovations team replaced the legacy propulsion system of an S-300CTM helicopter with a high-efficiency, electric motor and digital controller from U.S. Hybrid, coupled with a lithium ion energy storage system from Gaia. Integrated sensors provide real-time aircraft health information to the pilot through a panel integrated interactive LCD monitor. Eagle Aviation Technologies, LLC, executed the custom airframe modifications and assembly of the demonstrator aircraft. |
“Many of the most significant advancements in aviation have been enabled by transformations in propulsion technology. It is exciting to be at the forefront of the exploration of electric propulsion technology for rotorcraft,” said Mark Miller, Vice President, Sikorsky Research & Engineering.
“Through the
electrical conversion, propulsion efficiency of the aircraft has been
increased roughly 300 percent from baseline. Electric propulsion also
inherently simplifies the complexity of the propulsion system by
reducing the quantity of moving parts, increasing reliability while
reducing direct operating costs.”
The demonstrator
will feature a 190-horsepower electric motor, a motor controller, a
battery system, and cockpit controls. First flight is anticipated later
this year, upon completion of ground tests and safety of flight reviews
in accordance with Sikorsky standard practice for all aircraft programs.
“With current
energy storage technology, payload and endurance will fall short of
typical helicopter performance. These values will grow as rapidly
maturing technology is integrated on the demonstrator,” Miller added.
Features of the
“Firefly” include:
Sikorsky
Innovations is an agile, networked group of Sikorsky employees and
industry teammates dedicated to demonstrating innovative technology
solutions to the toughest problems in vertical flight. Sikorsky
Innovations is pursuing a broad range of advanced technologies,
including the X2 TechnologyTM demonstrator, aware and adaptive aircraft
systems, and optionally piloted aircraft. |
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