Officially unveiled on March 4th, prior to the Heli-Expo 2013 in Las Vegas, USA, the revolutionary AgustaWestland “Project Zero” all-...
The tilt rotor technology demonstrator is completely electric powered; designed to hover like a helicopter and convert to a fixed wing aircraft in forward flight thanks to its two integrated rotors which can be tilted through more than 90 degrees.
The demonstrator’s rotors are driven by advanced electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries.
Stile Bertone of Italy worked closely with AgustaWestland in developing the aesthetically pleasing styling and aerodynamically unique tiltrotor configuration.
To maximize strength and minimize weight, the entire aircraft exterior surface is carbon graphite and it was produced by Lola Composite in the UK. Sistemi Dinamici is a high tech engineering company jointly owned by AgustaWestland and IDS of Pisa, Italy. Sistemi Dinamici was instrumental to "Project Zero" by working closely with the AgustaWestland Advanced Concept Group on Flight Control System and Rotor design.
The technologies developed by each partner are being fed into their various industrial sectors to bring value to each company.
Selex ES contributed with the High-Integrity Flight Control Computer and Actuator Control Unit using software provided by Wind River.
Ansaldo Breda drew on their vast expertise in designing and building high-speed electric trains to custom produce the electric motor inverter and motor control algorithm.
Ansaldo Energia specializes in manufacturing megawatts power generators has provided valuable expertise on the alternative hybrid electric-diesel solution.
Other partners and suppliers around the world that have contributed to “Project Zero”include Lucchi R. Elettromeccanica, a Rimini-based motor company, custom designed and built the axial flux permanent magnet electricmotors.
The aerodynamic properties of the rotor blades were designed by AgustaWestland and Rotor Systems Research LLC of USA. The composite structure for the blades, shrouds and spokes were designed by the Advanced Concepts Group and AgustaWestland Japan Asia Technology Center, then manufactured by UCHIDA in Japan.
The high bandwidth electromechanical actuators (EMA) for the innovative swash plateless individual blade control system were specifically developed by Microtecnica for “Project Zero”. The entire aircraft uses no hydraulics; the retractable landing gear, nacelle tilting mechanism, and elevons are controlled by EMA.
ORAL Engineering developed an efficient diesel engine for the alternative electric-hybrid propulsion solution and provided rapid CNC machining for the rotor and drive system. MB Motorsport, Aerosviluppi and Marc’Ingegno customized the special motor cooling system, wiring harness and retractable landing gears, respectively. The"Project Zero" technology demonstrator was designed, built and tested in twelve months.
The demonstrator’s rotors when on the ground can be tilted forward and the aircraft pointed into wind to allow the rotors to windmill and recharge the aircraft’s electrical storage device.
