Piasecki to Develop Next-Gen VTOLs & Hydrogen Propulsion Tech

The award from the U.S. Air Force enables Piasecki to flight demonstrate its ARES tilt-duct VTOL UAS and hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technologies for VTOL and other aviation applications By Abi Wylie / 29 Nov 2023

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Piasecki to Develop Next-Gen VTOLs & Hydrogen Propulsion Tech
Follow DA

Piasecki Aircraft Corporation has been awarded a $37M multi-year contract by AFWERX, the Air Force’s innovation arm in conjunction with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). 

The award, part of AFRL’s Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) program, will enable Piasecki to flight demonstrate its Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES) tilt-duct vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) as well as industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technologies for VTOL and other aviation applications.

The two main areas the funding will support are the following Piasecki R&D programs.

Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES):

ARES is a modular multi-mission tilt duct VTOL vehicle that can be operated unmanned (UAS) or with an optional manned flight module. 

ARES is designed with a small landing footprint to enable shipboard and expeditionary operations as well as provide embedded multi-mission C4I, ISR, combat, and logistics support to small distributed combat forces operating over extended distances and in complex terrain. Rapidly-reconfigurable Mission Payload Modules deliver mission flexibility that significantly reduces overall logistics footprint and cost. 

The ARES Demonstration Vehicle was produced in partnership with Lockheed Martin with funding from DARPA. With follow-on funding from the U.S. Air Force and Army, Piasecki and Honeywell are integrating a triplex fly-by-wire flight control system to initiate ARES flight testing by the end of this year.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Propulsion System:

Piasecki is collaborating with ZeroAvia, a leader in hydrogen-electric aviation, to develop and implement its revolutionary High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) hydrogen fuel cell technology for PA-890 and other VTOL applications. 

The PA-890 eVTOL aircraft is expected to be the first zero-emission hydrogen-powered compound helicopter. The slowed-rotor winged helicopter is intended for use in a variety of missions including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), delivery of high-value On-Demand Logistics (ODL), On-Demand Mobility (ODM) personnel air transport, and many other commercial applications across the $40 billion commercial light helicopter market. 

In addition to zero carbon emissions, the PA-890 eVTOL enables up to a 50% reduction in direct operating cost and reduced noise compared with today’s fossil fuel turbine helicopters — and significantly greater range compared with all-electric helicopters.

John Piasecki, CEO of Piasecki Aircraft, said; “The STRATFI program plays a critical role in advancing emerging American technologies and we are thrilled to receive this significant investment. This new funding will allow us to demonstrate ARES’ unique tilt-duct configuration, which enables seamless transition between hover and fixed-wing forward flight — a technological leap that would address critical aerial challenges faced by the U.S. military. 

“The STRATFI test program will also fund the demonstration of zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology for VTOLs, including our forthcoming PA-890 compound helicopter. Demonstration of the PA-890 would be a world-first for electric aviation and would usher in a new era of clean vertical flight. 

“While R&D work on these projects began several years ago, this new funding will rapidly expand our ability to deliver these radically new vehicles to customers and partners across the military and commercial sectors.”

Posted by Abi Wylie Edited by Abigail Wylie, Editor and Copywriter experienced in digital media with a keen interest in ocean science technology. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

GA-ASI & Marine Corps Advance MQ-9A Operational Capabilities

The U.S. Marine Corps has accumulated over 1,000 flight hours using the MQ-9A unmanned aircraft in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)

Apr 30, 2025
New ESTU Module to Boost Short-Term Stability of Optical Cesium Clocks

Adtran has launched the Enhanced Short-Term Unit (ESTU) for its OSA 3300 optical cesium clocks, delivering passive hydrogen maser-level stability and significantly enhancing precision timing for defense applications

Apr 30, 2025
Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Full Ground Autonomy Integrated into Army SMET Vehicle for Uncrewed Breaching

Overland AI demonstrated its latest autonomous ground breaching capabilities at Project Convergence Capstone 5, integrating advanced software, hardware, and aerial payloads for Army experimentation

Apr 29, 2025
Application of Wheel Speed Sensors in INS

Micro-Magic delves into how wheel speed sensors are often used as auxiliary sensors in INS to improve navigation accuracy and suppress accumulated errors of inertial sensors

Apr 28, 2025
Product Spotlight: The Honeywell HG4930 IMU

Honeywell highlights the key features and reliability of the Honeywell HG4930 IMU, a trusted solution for navigation in GNSS-denied environments and challenging conditions

Apr 28, 2025

Featured Content

Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Q&A with DEFCROS: Key Insights for the 2025 Expo

DEFCROS Founder Kristijan Ilovača discusses the expo’s rapid growth, international ambitions, and how the event aims to support defense and security innovators

Apr 24, 2025
Ophir® FoldIR Lens Enhances Long-Range Imaging for Defense & Security Operations

The new Ophir® FoldIR 25-275mm MWIR zoom lens delivers compact, long-range imaging with low-SWaP performance for drones and small gimbal platforms

Apr 17, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.