TRW Lucas Envisions an All-Electric Helicopter

After pushing forward its views at recent air shows on the "all electric" airplane, TRW Aeronautical Systems (Lucas Aerospace) has now turned its attention to the all-electric helicopter.

Here on Booth 1341 at Heli-Expo it is unveiling a new technology for potential application on rotary and tilt-wing primary flight controls that aims to replace the hydraulic power supply with electric actuators.

The Integrated Actuation Package (IAP) will eliminate the hydraulic connections and supply, and its associated risks, by providing electrical power straight to the actuators. The benefits are enhanced survivability and aircraft maintainability and reduced weight and aircraft ground service time.

Meanwhile, TRW Lucas Aerospace continues to increase its market share in helicopter flight controls, hoists and winches, electric power generation, engine systems and power transmission.

Also featured at Heli-Expo are its DC starter-generator electrical systems, including its state-of-the-art generator control unit (GCU) for use in 28-volt DC electrical power generating systems.

This GCU features a programmable micro-controller that allows customizing of protection and control logic and currently has applications on the MD Explorer, Bell/Agusta 609 and the Bell H-1.

Also featured will be 200-, 300- and 400-ampere 28-volt DC starter generators currently flying on a wide range of helicopters such as the Bell H-1, 206, 212, 230, 407, 412, 427, and 430, the Agusta AB206, AB 212, and AB 412, Eurocopter BO105, and EC135, and BK117, MD Helicopter 500 and 900, S-76, the Kaman K-MAX and the Mitsubishi MH 2000.