Rotorcraft Highlights of 2023

Leonardo’s AW09 light single-turbine helicopter made its first flight in Switzerland on March 16 powered by the Safran Arriel 2K turboshaft planned for production aircraft. Leonardo acquired the AW09’s developer, Kopter Group, in April 2020.

AVIC’s AC332 light twin-turbine utility helicopter made its first flight from Tianjin, China, on April 7. With a gross weight of 3,850 kg (8,500 lb.), and seating for two crew and 10 passengers, the AC332 is planned for certification in 2025.

Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) T929 Atak 2 heavy attack helicopter made its first flight on April 28 powered by two 2,500-shp TV3-117 turboshaft engines supplied by Ukraine’s Motor Sich. At the Paris Air Show in June, TAI unveiled a mockup of the T925 transport helicopter, drawing on experience designing the T929.

Airbus Helicopters tested the VSR700 rotary-wing uncrewed aircraft system in operational configuration from a ship at sea for the first time in May, a precursor to sea trials on a French Navy frigate that began in September. The VSR700 is based on a Cabri G2 light helicopter.

Piasecki Aircraft acquired the former Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Heliplex in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, in May with plans to build and test the PA-980 hydrogen fuel-cell rotorcraft at the site, closed in 2022 due to a downturn in sales of Sikorsky’s S-76 and S-92 commercial helicopters.

Skyryse conducted the first fully automated autorotation emergency landing in a helicopter in July using a Robinson Helicopter R66 equipped with the U.S. startup’s fly-by-wire integrated flight control system. Skyryse is working toward FAA supplemental type certification of the system, beginning with the R66.

Airbus Helicopters in September unveiled its PioneerLab technology demonstrator, based on the H145, with plans to test hybrid-electric propulsion and other technologies for twin-engine helicopters. The EC135-based FlightLab tested digital flight controls and autonomous flight from takeoff to landing.

China’s CATIC unveiled a large rotary-wing uncrewed aircraft system, the AVIC-developed AR-2000, at the Dubai Airshow in November. Optimized for shipborne use—with folding blades and provisions, for weapons—the turbine-powered AR-2000 made its first flight earlier in 2023.

UK rotorcraft startup Hill Helicopters unveiled the first prototypes of its HX50 single-turbine light helicopter on Dec. 6. Paced by Hill’s development of an all-new engine for the helicopter, the 500-shp HT50, first flight of the HX50 is expected in 2024.