• Subscribe
  • Magazine
  • Videos
  • White Papers
  • Webinars
  • Buyer's Guide
  • EDGE Awards
  • Innovators Awards
    1. Commercial Aerospace

    Sikorsky introduces Project Firefly, electric helicopter demonstrator

    July 31, 2010
    OSHKOSH, Wis., 31 July 2010. Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft, introduced Project Firefly, an all-electric helicopter technology demonstrator, at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture exhibition in Oshkosh, Wis. The demonstrator will feature a 190-horsepower electric motor, a motor controller, a battery system, and cockpit controls.
    Pennwell web 120 82
    Pennwell web 120 82
    Posted by John McHaleOSHKOSH, Wis., 31 July 2010. Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft, introduced Project Firefly, an all-electric helicopter technology demonstrator, at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture exhibition in Oshkosh, Wis. 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. Features of the Firefly include: an all-electric drive system; safe and efficient high-density energy storage system; automated monitoring and alert technologies; and next-generation cockpit displays."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," says Chris Van Buiten, director of Sikorsky Innovations.In building the demonstrator, the Innovations team replaced the legacy propulsion system of an S-300C 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 liquid crystal display (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," says 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.""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 says.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 Aviation Learning Center along with other state-of-the-art commercially available and prototype electric aircraft.

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Military Aerospace, create an account today!

    View All Companies >