
Electric Choppers? FHL Says Yes, Possibly
on the Market in 2004
An "all-electric" helicopter could be offered on the
market in 2004, according to UK flight control and systems specialist
FHL. The company is a member of the UK's government-supported
HEAT (Helicopter Electric Actuation Technology) consortium, and
is developing an experimental electric actuation system for the
GKN Westland EH 101. FHL estimates that electromechanical actuation
could save 550 lb on a helicopter the size of EH101. The components
being developed under the current program are form, fit and function
replacements for the hydraulic actuators used today, and are expected
to be cheaper to produce and to maintain. FHL is part of the Claverham
Group, which was formed after the acquisition of Fairey Hydraulics
in 1998.
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