Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, is unveiling its plan to manufacture, test and fly a demonstration prototype of a hybrid-electric, vertical take-off and landing, variable-rotor-axis-rotor (HEX/VTOL) aircraft.
The design phase is the first in creating a series of large aircraft with next-generation VTOL features, with a wide range of capabilities and characteristics, such as electric propulsion and the possibility of manned or autonomous flight.
Initial requirements are for a minimum range of 500 nautical miles at high speed, a smaller number of mechanical systems to help alleviate technical complexities, and low maintenance costs.
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'Sikorsky Innovations, responsible for developing prototypes, together with GE Aerospace, are completing joint designs that will allow the construction of hybrid-electric power systems with an engine power of 600kW to begin.
After the design is completed, the characterization and testing processes will begin to evaluate the hovering performance, as a preliminary step before installation on the HEX prototype - a total weight of 9,000 lbs with hybrid-electric propulsion systems with a total power of 1.2MW including a turbo-generator.
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""At Sikorsky, we never stop innovating," said Paul Lemo, president of Sikorsky. "Electric propulsion and autonomous flight will significantly change the flight safety and operational efficiency of large VTOL aircraft. The HEX demonstrator will allow the project design team to provide insights as the program progresses to build a 'family' of aircraft in the configurations and requirements of our potential customers, both military and commercial.".
Igor Czerpinski, Director of Innovation at Sikorsky: "The development processes carried out at Sikorsky focus on electric propulsion – engines, power units, propulsion systems, as well as all requirements for hardware and software management."
""HEX will combine these components and demonstrate the technological maturity of the MATRIX™ autonomous flight system, as well as the potential for maintenance-free systems.".
