Aircraft
Piasecki Develops Hydrogen Helicopter at Sikorsky Factory
Piasecki Aircraft has acquired the former Sikorsky helicopter factory in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and will use it to develop VTOL aircraft.
Piasecki's PA-890 hydrogen-powered helicopter.
Piasecki will develop its PA-890 hydrogen-powered helicopter at the former Sikorsky factory in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. (Image: Piasecki Aircraft)

Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) is acquiring Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky Heliplex facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, to establish a research and development hub for VTOL aircraft and uncrewed aerial systems. The 219,000-sq-ft site previously served as the production and delivery center for Sikorsky’s S-76 and S-92 helicopters and once served as the site where Schweizer helicopters were manufactured.

PiAC plans to base its PA-890 hydrogen-powered helicopter program in Coatesville. The company aims to fly a technology demonstrator of the slowed-rotor winged helicopter by the end of this year as it works toward FAA type certification in 2028.