Leonardo Helicopters: Lots Happened in 2023
“The year 2023 has been extremely important to us both in the fields of existing and evolving programs as well as in new initiatives, both conventional and disruptive,” said Stefano Villanti, Leonardo Helicopters’ SVP of sales and marketing. “We’ve introduced significant enhancements in the AW169 light intermediate helicopter following the certification of performance increase packages, new avionics software release and the skid configuration, a unique combination of advanced SAR modes with IFR single-pilot capability, and started delivering the first batch of aircraft benefiting from the very latest capabilities introduced in the platform.”
Leonardo has also been busy with its AW09 next-generation long light single- engine and AW249 combat helicopter programs. “The AW09 has acquired a new Safran engine with the PS4 going in the air and the PS5 aircraft expected to fly soon,” Villanti said. “The first two prototypes of the AW249 have successfully carried out tests, in Italy and abroad.”
In the fast rotorcraft category, “The AW609 achieved new program milestones with FAA and EASA pilots flying for the very first time and a certification basis released by the FAA as we continue to work towards final certification,” said Villanti. “The technology demonstrator of the EU Clean Sky 2 initiative’s next-generation civil tiltrotor (NGCTR) is also taking its final shape on assembly at our Cascina Costa di Samarate Headquarters.”
Sikorsky Continues to Demo Autonomous Flight
Sikorsky spent much of 2023
demonstrating its optionally piloted Black Hawk helicopter, which was flown uncrewed to highlight its Matrix autonomy flight control system in action. The company has also partnered with Rain and its Wildfire Mission Autonomy System, with the goal of sending unmanned helicopter water bombers to attack wildfires as soon as they are detected.
Sikorsky is also working with NASA to implement autonomous flight control into eVTOLs. In 2023, it partnered with GE Aerospace to build a 7,000-pound prototype of a Matrix-controlled hybrid- electric VTOL demonstrator aircraft using a 1MW-class generator.
64 Nov/Dec 2023
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