Helicopter manufacturer Piasecki has received funding from the US government to explore the feasibility of future hydrogen eVTOLs in urban areas and other applications related to air transport.
The development phases of hydrogen eVTOL
Piasecki engineers are conducting a technical analysis, developing conceptual and preliminary designs to build a certified version of an industrial-scale hydrogen fuel cell-powered eVTOL . The company has announced that the second phase of the project will begin later this year.
During the first phase of the study, the hydrogen technology with internal combustion engines and battery-powered helicopters, evaluating key metrics such as mission performance, greenhouse gas reduction potential (GHG), the total cost of ownership and the level of technological readiness.
In this study, a Robinson R44 helicopter was used as a base model, developing three variants: with a gaseous hydrogen fuel cell , the next with liquid hydrogen and the last powered by a specialized battery .
Piasecki tests
Using the Department of Energy ‘s Energy and Carbon Techno-Economic Tool for Early Stage Technologies, results ensured that hydrogen and battery variants have negligible GHG emissions during use. Additionally, all variants reduce more than 1,300 tonnes of GHG emissions over five years, compared to the internal combustion engine-powered R44, in similar air transport applications.
Another finding was that the liquid hydrogen fuel cell variant showed the best performance, with a range comparable to that of the internal combustion engine . Additionally, it requires fewer refuelings and offers lower operating costs.
John Piasecki, president and CEO of Piasecki Aircraft, said: “ The Department of Energy’s request for this study highlights the urgent need for innovative and affordable zero-carbon vertical mobility solutions to reduce urban congestion and greenhouse gases. “vehicle greenhouse effect ”.
The development of the eVTOL PA-890
Piasecki is currently developing the PA-890, projected to be the world’s first hydrogen-powered composite helicopter. With this design, the company targets various markets, including emergency transportation, high-value logistics and low-demand commercial transportation.
Recently, Piasecki announced a $37 million contract with the United States Air Force to accelerate development of the PA-890. In collaboration with ZeroAvia, Piasecki is developing and testing hydrogen fuel cells for its eVTOL. This includes a flight demonstrator and a full-scale 660 kW propulsion testbed.
The company’s scope and experience in air transportation. Source: Piasecki Aircraft Corporation.
Last year, the company acquired a 219,000-square-foot helicopter manufacturing facility from Lockheed Martin Sikorsky in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, where it plans to assemble the PA-890.
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Source and photo: Piasecki
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