Piasecki Aircraft Corporation Leading the Way in Hydrogen-Powered Rotorcraft Innovation
Key Ideas
  • Piasecki Aircraft Corporation in Essington, Pa. has been awarded an SBIR contract by the DOE to evaluate hydrogen fuel cell-powered urban air mobility rotorcraft, showing commitment to clean energy and innovation.
  • The study conducted by Piasecki compared hydrogen fuel cell and battery variants for VTOL UAM vehicles, demonstrating negligible greenhouse gas emissions and superior performance of liquid hydrogen fuel cells.
  • The U.S. government's focus on developing hydrogen infrastructure aligns with Piasecki's efforts, and the company's partnership with ZeroAvia in California aims to accelerate the development of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell technologies for rotorcraft applications.
  • Piasecki's acquisition of a helicopter manufacturing facility in Coatesville, Pa. signifies their commitment to advancing hydrogen propulsion systems, with plans to assemble the world’s first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell powered commercial helicopter.
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, based in Essington, Pennsylvania, has secured a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the Department of Energy (DOE) to assess the feasibility of hydrogen fuel cell-powered urban air mobility (UAM) rotorcraft. This initiative aims to explore the utilization of hydrogen fuel cells as a power source for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAM vehicles, which are expected to revolutionize urban transportation. Through this contract, Piasecki will conduct a comprehensive technical economic analysis, develop conceptual designs, and eventually build and test a hydrogen fuel cell-powered VTOL UAM aircraft. The study conducted by Piasecki compared various propulsion systems, including hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, to evaluate metrics such as mission performance, greenhouse gas emissions, total cost of ownership, and technology readiness. The results indicated that both hydrogen fuel cell and battery variants exhibited minimal greenhouse gas emissions during operation, with significant reductions when compared to traditional internal combustion engines. Furthermore, Piasecki's partnership with ZeroAvia in Hollister, California, highlights their dedication to advancing zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell technologies for aviation applications. The company also secured a significant contract with the U.S. Air Force to expedite the development of a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for its PA-890 Slowed Rotor Compound Helicopter, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable aviation solutions. Overall, Piasecki's endeavors underscore a positive sentiment towards hydrogen as a clean energy solution for the future of aviation. With a strategic focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration with government entities, Piasecki is at the forefront of ushering in a new era of hydrogen-powered rotorcraft technology.
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