Sikorsky’s Long-Range Hybrid-Electric VTOL prototype will have 500 plus nautical mile range

Lockheed Martin‘s subsidiary Sikorsky made public its plans to produce a Hybrid-Electric VTOL aircraft prototype called a Hybrid-Electric Demonstrator (HEX), which will be used for R&D related to large hovering aircraft with novel propulsion systems.

GE Aerospace is contributing its CT7 turboshaft engine along with a 1MW-class generator as part of the HEX project. GE Aerospace has developed this engine based upon the work they have done for both NASA and the U.S. Army.

The prototype will have the following specifications: maximum gross weight of over 7,000 pounds, and a range of over 500 miles.

Sikorsky MATRIX™ technology will provide the flight controls for the aircraft, which will be incorporated into the airframe and electric motors by the team at Sikorsky Innovations. This team is led by its Director Igor Cherepinsky, a longtime developer and expert of autonomy technology at Sikorsky.

Sikorsky President Paul Lemmo made the case VTOL technology’s expanding role within Sikorsky

“As Sikorsky celebrates 100 years of flight innovations, it’s fitting to highlight our continued commitment to safe and sustainable transformative flight,”…… “Sikorsky’s HEX aircraft will provide critical insights into the possibilities of electric systems in VTOL aircraft. Ultimately, we want to show the potential of large, advanced air mobility vehicles to perform utility missions for the U.S. military and transport passengers between cities.”

In a statement by Amy Gowder, the President and CEO of Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace, she highlighted the importance of new propulsion tech.

“Bringing innovative technology is a top priority for GE Aerospace,”…. “We are committed to developing hybrid electric propulsion systems that save fuel and optimize performance for the military and commercial applications. We are thrilled to build off our existing work with NASA and the Army to offer to power Sikorsky’s HEX aircraft and bolster the future of flight.”

More info:

Lockheed Martin / Sikorsky official press release: click here

GE Aerospace official press release: click here

Igor Cherepinsky bio at Sikorsky: click here

Sikorsky MATRIX™ technology: click here