Electric helicopter research underway

Chinese designers have begun preliminary research into developing an electric helicopter and are working toward building a prototype for demonstration purposes, according to a key figure in the program.

Deng Jinghui, chief designer at the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, said researchers and engineers have carried out trial demonstrations of an electric tail rotor. They are making preparations for the device to be used on a 2-metric ton conventional helicopter during preliminary test flights, Deng said.

Engineers will remove the aircraft's original tail rotor and related transmission apparatus and then install an electric tail rotor that generates thrust independently rather than relying on traditional engines, he added.