The Sikorsky Firefly is an all-electric helicopter built for research purposes by
Sikorsky Aircraft. It has been called the world's "first all-electric helicopter".
The Firefly is a modified
Sikorsky S-300C helicopter with its engine replaced by an electric motor and two lithium-ion battery packs. The helicopter can hold only the pilot, no passengers, and operate for 12 to 15 minutes. It has a top speed of .
Sikorsky announced the existence of the new aircraft July 19, 2010 at the
Farnborough International Air Show in the United Kingdom and displayed it for the first time at the
Experimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. Since its inception, it has grown internationally with over 200,000 members and nearly 1,000 chapt ...
's AirVenture 2010 convention in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin on July 26. It was expected that the helicopter would make its first flight in late 2010 or in early 2011.
[Burgeson, John]
"Sikorsky to debut first all-electric helicopter"
''Connecticut Post'' of Bridgeport, Connecticut, July 25, 2010 The project was inspired by observing electric drag cars.
[Dickinson, Boonsri]
" An All-Electric Helicopter: How Far Will It Fly? Is Project Firefly at Silkorsky Innovations the start of silent flight?"
''Greentech Media'', August 20, 2010, retrieved May 1, 2018
Modifications of the Sikorsky S-300C
The Firefly was created by replacing the engine of the S-300C light helicopter, which has been in use for nearly half a century, during which time more than 3,000 have been built. The S-300C's Lycoming , 5.9-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine was replaced with an electric motor, new motor mount and two battery packs located on each side of the pilot. The rotor control, transmission and other systems were left essentially unchanged.
If the aircraft completely loses power, it can
auto-rotate for a safe landing. The pilot should have plenty of warning if the batteries run down during flight.
[
]
Electric engine and battery
The high-efficiency electric motor is powered by two 45Ah lithium-ion battery packs, each of which weighs .[ The battery packs, manufactured by ''Gaia Power Technologies'', have a total of 300 cells and produce about 370 volts.][ The electric motor is expected to fly with much less noise, emissions and vibration and require shorter maintenance periods over the life of the aircraft.][ The electric motor and controller system weighs .][Smith, Dale]
"All-Electric Sikorsky Firefly: Setting the Curve"
January 12, 2011, Rotor and Wing International, retrieved May 1, 2018 Empty weight is close to the MTOW.[Dubois, Thierr]
"Electric Firefly will feel like a conventional S-300C, says Sikorsky"
March 6, 2011, AIN Online, retrieved May 1, 2018 The batteries, motor and electronic components are air cooled, and the batteries have 15 minute endurance.[News release]
"Sikorsky Introduces “Project Firefly” Electric Helicopter Demonstrator"
July 19, 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft, Internet Archive December 3, 2013, retrieved May 1, 2018
See also
References
External links
Firefly™ Technology Demonstrator
Firefly Sikorsky corporate page (Internet Archive)
Sikorsky Firefly: An Electric Helicopter
AvWeb report from Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2010. Interview with Sikorsky Innovations project manager Jonathan Hartman.
{{Sikorsky Aircraft
2010s United States helicopters
Firefly
Electric helicopters