Rotorcraft
Bell Flies Electric Anti-torque on 429
Bell has been test flying an electric anti-torque system on its 429 light twin since May.
Unveiled on February 20, the Bell 429 flying with anti-torque has been in operation since May 2019.
Unveiled on February 20, the Bell 429 flying with anti-torque has been in operation since May 2019.

Bell officially unveiled its electrically distributed anti-torque (EDAT) system via its Facebook page February 20, but has been operating it on a Bell 429 flying testbed aircraft since May 2019 and applied for a related patent in 2017. 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.