FutureFlight
Leonardo Confirms New Plans For a Hybrid-Electric Helicopter
The Italian rotorcraft group is expected to develop a technology demonstrator for an aircraft that could lead to a new model being ready to enter service in the second half of the 2020s.
Leonardo AW09
Leonardo's new AW09 single-engine helicopter could be used to develop a technology demonstrator for a new hybrid-electric rotorcraft. (Photo: Leonardo)

Leonardo Helicopters today confirmed plans to develop a hybrid-electric-powered light helicopter that could be available in the second half of this decade.  During a press briefing, the Italian rotorcraft manufacturer indicated that it will likely use the prototypes for its new AW09 aircraft as technology demonstrators for the new project.

The AW09 is the rebranded product name for the SH09 single-engine helicopter being developed by Leonardo's Swiss-based subsidiary Kopter. This is due to complete type certification at the end of 2022 or early in 2023. At that point, Leonardo expects to accelerate plans for a hybrid-electric aircraft.

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