These are busy times for Airbus Helicopters’ flight test team at Donauwörth. Airbus is already developing an upgraded H135 featuring a five-bladed main rotor and a redesign of the empennage, notably adding a T-tail.
Meanwhile, Airbus has also begun flight testing with the latest edition of its FlightLab programme. Partially funded by the BMWK, the Federal German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Actions, through its national research programme LuFo, the PioneerLab is based on an H145 airframe that is focused on fuel reduction with a goal of reducing burn by 30% compared with an existing H145. Airbus said the improvements will be the product of a hybrid electric propulsion system and aerodynamic enhancements.
“With PioneerLab, we continue our ambitious strategy to test and mature new technologies on board our helicopter demonstrators,” said Tomasz Krysinski, Head of Research and Innovation Programmes at Airbus Helicopters. “PioneerLab, which is based in Germany at our Donauwörth site, will be our platform to test technologies specifically dedicated to twin-engine helicopters.”
In addition to the fuel burn improvements, Airbus will also conduct flight testing of structural components fabricated using bio-based and recycled materials, which aim to reduce the environmental footprint across the aircraft’s life cycle. Further research activities will include integrating the latest digital technologies into the aircraft’s flight control system and associated sensors to increase autonomy and safety during critical flight phases such as take-off and landing.
The PioneerLab’s flight campaign has begun with a rotor strike alerting system being the first test point for the demonstrator. Next up will be the testing of an automated take-off and landing system.
