At this week's German National Aviation Conference in Hamburg, Airbus Helicopters unveiled its PioneerLab flying helicopter laboratory based on the company's twin-engine H145 platform. One of the hallmarks of Airbus Helicopters' research and development efforts is its fleet of FlightLab flying laboratories for flight testing new technologies. The latest of these is PioneerLab, a variant of the H145 utility helicopter launched in 1999.
Flightlab’s latest version focuses on developing bio-based materials and technologies to make future rotorcraft greener, more efficient, and more autonomous.
According to Airbus, the Pioneer Laboratory will use a hybrid electric propulsion system and improved aerodynamics to reduce fuel consumption by 30%. It will also be used to test structural components made from bio-based and recyclable resources, which use less raw materials and energy during production. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of the helicopter throughout its service life.
In addition to boosting the company's green credentials, Pioneer Labs will also explore the use of advanced sensors and digital systems to improve safety and autonomy, particularly during takeoff and landing.
Flight testing has begun at the company's factory in Donauwörth, Germany, first with the rotor impact warning system and then with the automated takeoff and landing system.
Tomasz Krysinski, Head of Research and Innovation Programs at Airbus Helicopters, said: "With PioneerLab, we continue to implement our ambitious strategy of testing and maturing new technologies on helicopter demonstrators. The Pioneer Lab, located at the Donauwörth base in Germany, will be our platform for testing technologies specific to twin-engine helicopters."