Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

AVX Aircraft has won a Defense Department contract to continue the development of an all-electric flight control system (AEFCS) for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)&nbsp;in collaboration with Moog. The system will use electro-mechanical actuator technologies to replace hydraulic systems on legacy and next-generation helicopters.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 


“The electric flight control technology being developed by the AVX/Moog team provides numerous benefits to our customers to include: safety, weight reduction, reduced maintenance, and life-cycle cost savings,”&nbsp;said Kendall Goodman, AVX president.&nbsp;

 


“We are excited to build upon our solid relationship with AVX.&nbsp;Drawing upon our foundational technologies, our complementary team efforts will rapidly mature the AEFCS for the U.S. Army and unlock the many significant cost and performance benefits associated with the electrification of rotorcraft,”&nbsp;said Jim Riedel, Moog Group vice president of agile prime pursuits.&nbsp;

 


AVX joins Airbus and Bell in investigating the increased use of electrified systems on rotorcraft. Bell has been flying its&nbsp;electrically distributed anti-torque (EDAT) system since 2019 on one of its 429 twins. EDAT significantly reduces helicopter noise, augments power to the main rotor, and simplifies maintenance by replacing the tailrotor with a series of four ducted fans embedded in the vertical stabilizer. Each fan is powered by its own electric motor and inputs to the system are controlled via fly-by-wire. EDAT eliminates the need for tailrotor mechanical systems, including driveshafts and gearboxes. Using electric power to provide tailrotor thrust has long been a topic of investigation for helicopters. In 2017, researchers at Italy’s L’Aquila University evaluated it for an Airbus EC130.

 


Airbus also is testing an engine backup system on its H130 helicopter “Flightlab” that uses a 100-kW electric motor to provide electric power for up to 30 seconds in the event of main turbine engine failure. According to Airbus, the motor is connected to the main gearbox and gives pilots extra time to react, maintain rotor speed, and enter a smoother autorotation.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

AVX Aircraft To Develop All-electric Flight Control System for Helicopters

AVX Aircraft wins Department of Defense contract to develop all-electric flight control system for helicopters.

March to More Electric Rotorcraft Continues

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

More In Rotorcraft

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN