# Sikorsky Firefly

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sikorsky_Firefly
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sikorsky_Firefly.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_Firefly
> Source revision: 1325518949
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

All-electric helicopter built for research purposes

Firefly Sikorsky Firefly General information Type Light Experimental electric helicopter Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Status Defunct History Developed from Sikorsky S-300

The **Sikorsky Firefly** is an [all-electric helicopter](/source/Electric_aircraft) built for research purposes by [Sikorsky Aircraft](/source/Sikorsky_Aircraft). It has been called the world's "first all-electric helicopter".[1] The Firefly is a modified [Sikorsky S-300C](/source/Sikorsky_S-300) helicopter with its engine replaced by an [electric motor](/source/Electric_motor) and two [lithium-ion](/source/Lithium-ion_battery) battery packs. The helicopter would hold only the pilot and no passengers. Sikorsky reported an operating time of 12 to 15 minutes and a top speed of 80 kn (150 km/h; 92 mph).[2]

It was expected that the helicopter would make its first flight in late 2010 or early 2011.[1] For undisclosed reasons, the helicopter was never flown and the project is now defunct.[2]

## History

Sikorsky announced the aircraft at the [Farnborough International Air Show](/source/Farnborough_International_Air_Show) in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) on July 19, 2010, and displayed it for the first time at the [Experimental Aircraft Association](/source/Experimental_Aircraft_Association)'s AirVenture 2010 convention in [Oshkosh, Wisconsin](/source/Oshkosh%2C_Wisconsin), on July 26. Upon the Firefly's announcement, Sikorsky revealed that they had been working on the project for over two years. The cost of the project was never disclosed.[2]

## Development

The Firefly was created by replacing the engine of the S-300C light helicopter, which began production in 1964 as the [Hughes 300](/source/Hughes_300).[3] The S-300C's [Lycoming](/source/Lycoming_Engines) 190 hp (140 kW), 5.9-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine was replaced with an electric motor, a new motor mount, and two battery packs located on each side of the pilot. The rotor control, transmission and other systems were left essentially unchanged.[1] The project was inspired by observing electric drag cars.[4]

Sikorsky Innovations director Chris Van Buiten stated that the development of the Firefly was intended to demonstrate the technology required for vertical electric flight.[5]

## Electric motor and battery

The high-efficiency electric motor is powered by two 45Ah lithium-ion battery packs, each of which weighs 585 pounds (265 kg).[4] The battery packs, manufactured by Gaia Power Technologies, have a total of 300 cells and produce about 370 volts.[1] The electric motor is expected to fly with much less noise, emissions and vibration and require shorter maintenance periods over the life of the aircraft.[1] The electric motor and controller system weighs 180 lb (82 kg).[6] Empty weight is close to the 2,050-pound (930 kg) MTOW.[7] The batteries, motor and electronic components are air cooled, and the batteries have 15 minute endurance.[7]

If the aircraft completely loses power, it can [auto-rotate](/source/Autorotation) for a safe landing. The pilot would have plenty of warning if the batteries ran down during flight.[1]

Eagle Aviation Technologies, LLC, installed the new permanent-magnet electric motor and digital controller from U.S. Hybrid, and the batteries.[8]

## See also

- [Aviation portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Aviation)

- [AgustaWestland Project Zero](/source/AgustaWestland_Project_Zero)

- [Hughes TH-55 Osage](/source/Hughes_TH-55_Osage)

- [Solution F/Chretien Helicopter](/source/Solution_F%2FChretien_Helicopter)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-sajb_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-sajb_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-sajb_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-sajb_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-sajb_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-sajb_1-5) Burgeson, John, ["Sikorsky to debut first all-electric helicopter"](https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Sikorsky-rolls-out-first-all-electric-helicopter-590195.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201020041759/https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Sikorsky-rolls-out-first-all-electric-helicopter-590195.php) 2020-10-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *Connecticut Post* of Bridgeport, Connecticut, July 25, 2010

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_2-2) ["Sikorsky Firefly (technology demonstrator) (defunct)"](https://evtol.news/sikorsky-firefly/). *evtol.news*. Retrieved 2024-11-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Hughes Model 269/300 helicopter - development history, photos, technical data"](http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/mcdonnel-200.php). *www.aviastar.org*. Retrieved 2024-11-27.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-gtm_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-gtm_4-1) Dickinson, Boonsri, ["An All-Electric Helicopter: How Far Will It Fly? Is Project Firefly at Silkorsky Innovations the start of silent flight?"](https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/an-all-electric-helicopter-will-it-fly), *Greentech Media*, August 20, 2010, retrieved May 1, 2018

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Patrascu, Daniel (2011-01-13). ["Sikorsky Firefly Electric Helo Nearing Test Flight"](https://www.autoevolution.com/news/sikorsky-firefly-electric-helo-nearing-test-flight-29596.html). *autoevolution*. Retrieved 2024-11-28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rwds_6-0)** Smith, Dale, ["All-Electric Sikorsky Firefly: Setting the Curve"](http://www.rotorandwing.com/2011/01/12/all-electric-sikorsky-firefly-setting-the-curve/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201103090901/https://www.rotorandwing.com/2011/01/12/all-electric-sikorsky-firefly-setting-the-curve/) 2020-11-03 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), January 12, 2011, Rotor and Wing International, retrieved May 1, 2018

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-aino_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-aino_7-1) Dubois, Thierry ["Electric Firefly will feel like a conventional S-300C, says Sikorsky"](https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2011-03-06/electric-firefly-will-feel-conventional-s-300c-says-sikorsky), March 6, 2011, AIN Online, retrieved May 1, 2018

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** News release, ["Sikorsky Introduces "Project Firefly" Electric Helicopter Demonstrator"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011019/http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid=989b1cb3a2be9210VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD), July 19, 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft, Internet Archive December 3, 2013, retrieved May 1, 2018

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Sikorsky Firefly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sikorsky_Firefly).

- [Firefly™ Technology Demonstrator](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053057/http://www.sikorsky.com/Pages/Innovation/Technologies/FireflyTechnology.aspx) Firefly Sikorsky corporate page (Internet Archive)

- [Sikorsky Firefly: An Electric Helicopter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD8TfjDMYT0) AvWeb report from Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2010. Interview with Sikorsky Innovations project manager Jonathan Hartman.

v t e Sikorsky aircraft Fixed-wing aircraft (company designations) S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-11 S-12 S-13 S-14 S-15 S-16 S-17 S-18 S-19 S-20 S-21 S-22/23/24/25/26/27 S-28 S-29-A S-30 S-31 S-32 S-33 S-34 S-35 S-36 S-37 S-38 S-39 S-40 S-41 S-42 S-43 VS-44 S-45 Fixed-wing aircraft (military designations) C-6 C-28 JRS JR2S PS P2S RS XBLR-3 XPBS XSS XV-2 Helicopters (company designations) VS-300 (S-46) S-47 S-48 S-49 S-50 S-51 S-52 S-53 S-54 S-55 S-56 S-57 S-58 S-59 S-60 S-61 S-61L/N S-61R S-62 S-63 S-64 S-65 S-66 S-67 S-68 S-69 S-70 S-71 S-72 S-73 S-74 S-75 S-76 S-80 S-92 S-95 S-97 S-100 S-102 S-103 S-300 S-333 S-434 Helicopters (military designations) SH-3 Sea King HH-3E/F R-4 H-5 H-6 H-18 H-19 Chickasaw H-34 Choctaw CH-37 Mojave XH-39 HH-52A Seaguard CH-53 Sea Stallion CH-53E Super Stallion CH-53K King Stallion MH-53 CH-54 Tarhe UH-60 Black Hawk HH-60G Pave Hawk HH-60J/MH-60T MH-60R/S Seahawk SH-60B/F Seahawk H-60J/K VH-60 RAH-66 Comanche VH-92 Patriot CH-124 Sea King CH-148 Cyclone HLH Experimental aircraft Cypher/Cypher II Firefly Raider Raider X SB-1 X2 XBLR-3 XV-2

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sikorsky Firefly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_Firefly) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_Firefly?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.