Airbus Helicopters embarks on Clean Sky 2 programme

Airbus Helicopters will lead the design of a large-scale compound rotorcraft demonstrator dubbed LifeRCraft (Low Impact Fast & Efficient RotorCraft) as part of Europe’s Clean Sky 2 Joint Technology Initiative.

Clean Sky 2 was formally launched in Brussels last week. Under this second phase of the initiative, Airbus Helicopters will build on work undertaken with its X3 hybrid test bed and apply lessons learned to LifeRCraft.

The LifeRCraft architecture combines fixed wings for energy-efficient lift, open propellers for high-efficiency propulsion, and a main rotor that provides vertical takeoff and landing flight capabilities.

Clean Sky aims to reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry.  Through a multi-phase approach, Clean Sky 2 is the continuation to the progress achieved in the first Clean Sky Programme which will end in 2017. It intends to speed up technological breakthrough developments and shorten the time-to-market for more competitive and cleaner air transport solutions tested on full scale demonstrators. Through open calls Clean Sky 2 will involve a range of partners throughout Europe, in particular SMEs.

Airbus Helicopters will now undertake preliminary studies, architecture and specification activity for LifeRCraft, with development and testing of component and subsystems envisioned in the 2016-2018 timeframe. Flight evaluations could start in early 2019.

Tomasz Krysinski, vice president – research and innovation, Airbus Helicopters, said:
‘Clean Sky 2 underscores Europe’s commitment to aligning its strengths and significantly increasing investment in research and technology, building on such advancements as the X3 hybrid demonstrator that successfully validated the compound aircraft configuration and proved its capabilities with a significant breakthrough in terms of rotorcraft speed. This will position European industry for the potential development of a commercial aircraft based on this concept, with reduced risk before a go/no-go decision is made.’

Such a future compound aircraft would combine higher cruise speeds with excellent vertical takeoff and landing performance at affordable operating costs, making it well-suited for such vital public service duties as emergency medical airlift, search and rescue, coast guard and border patrol operations; while also contributing to the overall enhancement of mobility through operations ranging from passenger transport and inter-city shuttle services to off-shore airlift for the oil and gas sector.