Sikorsky Firefly: Difference between revisions

Firefly
	Sikorsky Firefly
Role	Light Experimentalelectrichelicopter
Manufacturer	Sikorsky Aircraft
Developed from	Sikorsky S-300

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TheSikorsky Fireflyis an all-electric helicopter built for research purposes bySikorsky Aircraft.It has been called the world's "first all-electric helicopter".^[1]The Firefly is a modifiedSikorsky S-300Chelicopter 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 80 kn (150 km/h; 92 mph).

Sikorsky announced the existence of the new aircraft July 19, 2010, at theFarnborough International Air Showin the United Kingdom and displayed it for the first time at theExperimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture 2010 convention inOshkosh, Wisconsinon July 26. It was expected that the helicopter would make its first flight in late 2010 or in early 2011.^[1]The project was inspired by observing electric drag cars.^[2]

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 190 hp (140 kW), 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.^[1]

If the aircraft completely loses power, it canauto-rotatefor a safe landing. The pilot should have plenty of warning if the batteries run down during flight.^[1]

Electric engine and battery

The high-efficiency electric motor is powered by two 45Ah lithium-ion battery packs, each of which weighs 585 pounds (265 kg).^[2]The battery packs, manufactured by Gaia Power Technologies, have a total of 300 cells and produce about 370 volts.^[1]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.^[1]The electric motor and controller system weighs 180 lb (82 kg).^[3]Empty weight is close to the 2,050-pound (930 kg) MTOW.^[4]The batteries, motor and electronic components are air cooled, and the batteries have 15 minute endurance.^[4]

Eagle Aviation Technologies, LLC, installed the new permanent-magnet electric motor and digital controller from U.S. Hybrid, and the batteries.^[5]

References

^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^fBurgeson, John,"Sikorsky to debut first all-electric helicopter",Connecticut Postof Bridgeport, Connecticut, July 25, 2010
^^a ^bDickinson, 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
^Smith, Dale,"All-Electric Sikorsky Firefly: Setting the Curve"Archived2020-11-03 at theWayback Machine,January 12, 2011, Rotor and Wing International, retrieved May 1, 2018
^^a ^bDubois, Thierry"Electric Firefly will feel like a conventional S-300C, says Sikorsky",March 6, 2011, AIN Online, retrieved May 1, 2018
^News release,"Sikorsky Introduces “Project Firefly” Electric Helicopter Demonstrator ",July 19, 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft, Internet Archive December 3, 2013, retrieved May 1, 2018

External links

Firefly™ Technology DemonstratorFirefly Sikorsky corporate page (Internet Archive)
Sikorsky Firefly: An Electric HelicopterAvWeb report from Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2010. Interview with Sikorsky Innovations project manager Jonathan Hartman.

[sajb-1] Burgeson, John,"Sikorsky to debut first all-electric helicopter",Connecticut Postof Bridgeport, Connecticut, July 25, 2010

[gtm-2] 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

[rwds-3] Smith, Dale,"All-Electric Sikorsky Firefly: Setting the Curve"Archived2020-11-03 at theWayback Machine,January 12, 2011, Rotor and Wing International, retrieved May 1, 2018

[aino-4] Dubois, Thierry"Electric Firefly will feel like a conventional S-300C, says Sikorsky",March 6, 2011, AIN Online, retrieved May 1, 2018

[5] News release,"Sikorsky Introduces “Project Firefly” Electric Helicopter Demonstrator ",July 19, 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft, Internet Archive December 3, 2013, retrieved May 1, 2018

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[5]

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+{|{{Infoboxaircraftbegin
 |name= Firefly
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 |caption=Sikorsky Firefly
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+}}{{Infoboxaircrafttype
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-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".<ref name= "sajb" /> The Firefly is a modified [[Sikorsky S-300|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 80knots, or about 92&nbsp;mph.
+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".<ref name= "sajb" /> The Firefly is a modified [[Sikorsky S-300|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{{convert|80|kn|km/hmph|abbr=on}}.
-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]]'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.<ref name= "sajb" >Burgeson, John, [https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Sikorsky-rolls-out-first-all-electric-helicopter-590195.php "Sikorsky to debut first all-electric helicopter" ], ''Connecticut Post'' of Bridgeport, Connecticut, July 25, 2010</ref> The project was inspired by observing electric drag cars.<ref name= "gtm" >Dickinson, Boonsri, [https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/an-all-electric-helicopter-will-it-fly "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</ref>
+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]]'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.<ref name= "sajb" >Burgeson, John, [https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Sikorsky-rolls-out-first-all-electric-helicopter-590195.php "Sikorsky to debut first all-electric helicopter" ], ''Connecticut Post'' of Bridgeport, Connecticut, July 25, 2010</ref> The project was inspired by observing electric drag cars.<ref name= "gtm" >Dickinson, Boonsri, [https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/an-all-electric-helicopter-will-it-fly "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</ref>
 ==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{{convert|190|hp|kW|abbr=on}},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.<ref name= "sajb" />
-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 190-horsepower,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.<ref name= "sajb" />
 If the aircraft completely loses power, it can [[Autorotation|auto-rotate]] for a safe landing. The pilot should have plenty of warning if the batteries run down during flight.<ref name=sajb/>
 ==Electric engine and battery==
+The high-efficiency electric motor is powered by two 45Ah lithium-ion battery packs, each of which weighs {{convert|585|lb|kg}}.<ref name=gtm/> The battery packs, manufactured by Gaia Power Technologies, have a total of 300 cells and produce about 370 volts.<ref name=sajb/> 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.<ref name=sajb/> The electric motor and controller system weighs {{convert|180|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name= "rwds" >Smith, Dale, [http://www.rotorandwing.com/2011/01/12/all-electric-sikorsky-firefly-setting-the-curve/ "All-Electric Sikorsky Firefly: Setting the Curve" ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103090901/https://www.rotorandwing.com/2011/01/12/all-electric-sikorsky-firefly-setting-the-curve/ |date=2020-11-03 }}, January 12, 2011, Rotor and Wing International, retrieved May 1, 2018</ref> Empty weight is close to the {{convert|2,050|lb|kg|adj=on}} MTOW.<ref name= "aino" >Dubois, Thierry [https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2011-03-06/electric-firefly-will-feel-conventional-s-300c-says-sikorsky "Electric Firefly will feel like a conventional S-300C, says Sikorsky" ], March 6, 2011, AIN Online, retrieved May 1, 2018</ref> The batteries, motor and electronic components are air cooled, and the batteries have 15 minute endurance.<ref name= "aino" />
+Eagle Aviation Technologies, LLC, installed the newpermanent-magnetelectric motor and digital controller from U.S. Hybrid, and the batteries.<ref>News release, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011019/http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid=989b1cb3a2be9210VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD "Sikorsky Introduces “Project Firefly” Electric Helicopter Demonstrator "], July 19, 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft, Internet Archive December 3, 2013, retrieved May 1, 2018</ref>
-The high-efficiency electric motor is powered by two 45Ah lithium-ion battery packs, each of which weighs 585 pounds.<ref name=gtm/> The battery packs, manufactured by ''Gaia Power Technologies'', have a total of 300 cells and produce about 370 volts.<ref name=sajb/> 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.<ref name=sajb/>
-Eagle Aviation Technologies, LLC, installed the new electric motor and digital controller from U.S. Hybrid, and the batteries.<ref>News release, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011019/http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid=989b1cb3a2be9210VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD "Sikorsky Introduces “Project Firefly” Electric Helicopter Demonstrator "], July 19, 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft, Internet Archive December 3, 2013, retrieved May 1, 2018</ref>
 ==See also==
 {{Portal|Aviation}}
-{{aircontent
-|related=
 * [[Hughes TH-55 Osage]]
-* [[Sikorsky S-300]]
-|similar aircraft=
-|lists=
-|see also=
-}}
 ==References==
@@ Line 55: / Line 47: @@
 {{commons category|Sikorsky Firefly}}
 *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053057/http://www.sikorsky.com/Pages/Innovation/Technologies/FireflyTechnology.aspx Firefly™ Technology Demonstrator] Firefly Sikorsky corporate page (Internet Archive)
+*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD8TfjDMYT0 Sikorsky Firefly: An Electric Helicopter] AvWeb report from Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2010. Interview with Sikorsky Innovations project manager Jonathan Hartman.
 {{Sikorsky Aircraft}}
-[[Category:United States helicopters2010–2019]]
+[[Category:2010sUnited States helicopters]]
 [[Category:Sikorsky aircraft|Firefly]]
 [[Category:Electric helicopters]]

v t e Sikorskyaircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft (company designations)	S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-11 S-12 S-13 S-14 S-15 S-16 S-17 S-18 S-19 S-20 S-21 S-22/23/24/25/26/27 S-28 S-29-A S-30 S-31 S-32 S-33 S-34 S-35 S-36 S-37 S-38 S-39 S-40 S-41 S-42 S-43 VS-44 S-45
Fixed-wing aircraft (military designations)	C-6 C-28 JRS JR2S PS P2S RS XBLR-3 XPBS XSS XV-2
Helicopters (company designations)	VS-300 (S-46) S-47 S-48 S-49 S-50 S-51 S-52 S-53 S-54 S-55 S-56 S-57 S-58 S-59 S-60 S-61 S-61L/N S-61R S-62 S-63 S-64 S-65 S-66 S-67 S-68 S-69 S-70 S-71 S-72 S-73 S-74 S-75 S-76 S-80 S-92 S-95 S-97 S-100 S-102 S-103 S-300 S-333 S-434
Helicopters (military designations)	SH-3 Sea King HH-3E/F R-4 H-5 H-6 H-18 H-19 Chickasaw H-34 Choctaw CH-37 Mojave XH-39 HH-52A Seaguard CH-53 Sea Stallion CH-53E Super Stallion CH-53K King Stallion MH-53 CH-54 Tarhe UH-60 Black Hawk HH-60G Pave Hawk HH-60J/MH-60T MH-60R/S Seahawk SH-60B/F Seahawk H-60J/K VH-60 RAH-66 Comanche VH-92 Patriot CH-124 Sea King CH-148 Cyclone HLH
Experimental aircraft	Cypher/Cypher II Firefly Raider Raider X SB-1 X2 XBLR-3 XV-2