Robinson Helicopter and United Therapeutics Partner on Hydrogen-Powered Helicopters for Organ Transport
Key Ideas
  • Robinson Helicopter and United Therapeutics are collaborating to develop hydrogen-powered helicopters for organ transport, with the first flight planned near Montreal.
  • United Therapeutics aims to utilize a hydrogen-powered R66 for delivering transplantable organs throughout North America, emphasizing zero-emissions flight and autonomy capabilities.
  • The partnership leverages Robinson's expertise in engineering and certification, having successfully collaborated on a battery-electric variant of the R44 helicopter with Unither Bioelectronic.
  • The choice to modify existing aircraft for hydrogen propulsion is seen as a pragmatic approach to certification challenges, potentially offering societal benefits and cost advantages over eVTOLs.
Robinson Helicopter and biotechnology firm United Therapeutics are joining forces to develop hydrogen-powered helicopters, with a focus on organ transport. The collaboration includes ground testing an R44 modified with hydrogen fuel cells, with test flights set to commence near Montreal. United Therapeutics plans to use a hydrogen-powered R66 for delivering transplantable organs across North America, combining zero-emissions flight with some level of autonomy. This initiative builds on Unither's successful flight of a battery-electric R44 variant and drone delivery of lungs. Robinson's involvement adds engineering and certification capabilities to retrofit the larger R66 helicopter. The partnership seeks to address certification challenges by modifying existing airframes, potentially reducing risks associated with new technology. Robinson's CEO, David Smith, champions the project's economic value compared to eVTOLs and emphasizes the simplicity and reliability of modified helicopters for decarbonization. Both companies are optimistic about the societal benefits and regulatory reception of their innovative approach to sustainable aviation.
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