AgustaWestland 'Project Zero'?

Grey Havoc

Grey Havoc

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Came across this over on MilitaryPhotos.net:

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[IMAGE CREDIT: Shepard Media]

Beyond the queries about the corruption charges, the company used the press conference to provide an update on recent activities.

The company revealed that it was developing an electric-powered unmanned tiltrotor under a programme it has dubbed ‘Project Zero’. The technology demonstrator (pictured) performed its first unmanned tethered flight in June 2011 at AgustaWestland’s Cascina Costa facility in Italy and has since flown several times in 2011 and 2012.
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The company is not only investing in its own technology research but it is also a member of the European Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative, as co-leader of the Green Rotorcraft Integrated Technology Demonstration, which is researching external noise reduction technologies, cleaner and more efficient use of power, as well as environmentally friendly flight paths.

AgustaWestland website, R&D section.
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EDIT: Project Zero may come under the company's GRC3 development activity, or alternatively, GRC7.
 
Cool. Certain elements look more stylish than functional (like the two highly swept short V-tails), but I'll be curious to see how this progresses. Thanks for posting! :)
 
Extract of the patent published in January this year (Source: Flightglobal):
 

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And the press release on the AW website about Project Zero is the only one that is not working ::) For a split of second I believed, that marketing in Europe finally works well.
 
Might make a good shipboard UAV if they keep plugging away at it.

BTW is it just me or does this scream "Italian style" with the nice sweeping curves ect...nice looking bird.
 
I think James Cameron is going to want a cut. ::)
 
May work fine for a unmanned aircraft, but it sure does not look like would work as a larger manned system.
 
I dunno, something about it screams rich guy's personal aviation toy, from the overall design to a very cockpit like bulge.
 
Very interesting, thought it was a fake to begin with. Looks a little elaborate with the winglets and the little V tail. Nice to see something new though.

Do winglets provide benefits at all speeds? Would they be an indicator of expected performance?

I see the outer wings are removable anyway.

Lets hope AgustaWestland release more info soon!
 
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heli-expo-agustawestland-launches-all-electric-tiltrotor-demonstrator-383028/
The patent filing shows a V-tailed vehicle identified as the "Convertiplane", with a top speed in forward flight of 270kt (500km/h) and a normal cruising altitude of 24,600ft (7,500m).
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I just had an exclusive interview with AW. They are releasing another press release tomorrow morning (Italian time) to highlight their risk-sharing partners -- with more photos! So check their website tomorrow.
 
Re: AgustaWestland 'Project Zero'

Here it is with 3 more photos.
http://www.agustawestland.com/node/6902


Still no photos of the aircraft in flight. Hopefully I'll get some good high res ones for our "Vertiflite" magazine.
 

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Great stuff vstol!

I wonder why the first photo doesn't feature the black rotor ducts?
 
It's before assembly. The picture shows the carbon outer shells only.
 
They flight tested Zero with ducts and without. They have been using it as a testbed and have been testing out different technologies.
 
vstol said:
They flight tested Zero with ducts and without. They have been using it as a testbed and have been testing out different technologies.
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Thanks for clearing that up, because some of those first photos they released didn't appear to have the ducts.
 
I guess the ducts add weight but would they help more in the hover or in forward flight?

I wonder if anyone has looked into combining tilt rotors and joined/box/diamond wings.

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4963.msg25272.html#msg25272

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2024.0.html
 
Re: AgustaWestland 'Project Zero'!

OK, here it is, the definitive story of Project Zero! :)


Normally, Vertiflite articles are only for AHS International members, but we made a special version of the article so that everyone can see it:
http://www.vtol.org/publications/vertiflite-magazine/project-zero-sample-article


Note that the annoying box is optional. If you want to get on the AHS newsletter mailing list, you can input your email address, but it is not required.


Of course, members can download a pdf of the entire issue -- and 60 years' worth of back issues -- for free. So anyone interested in vertical flight technology should join AHS: www.vtol.org/membership.


Enjoy!
Mike.
 
Re: AgustaWestland 'Project Zero'!

vstol said:
OK, here it is, the definitive story of Project Zero! :)


Normally, Vertiflite articles are only for AHS International members, but we made a special version of the article so that everyone can see it:
http://www.vtol.org/publications/vertiflite-magazine/project-zero-sample-article


Note that the annoying box is optional. If you want to get on the AHS newsletter mailing list, you can input your email address, but it is not required.


Of course, members can download a pdf of the entire issue -- and 60 years' worth of back issues -- for free. So anyone interested in vertical flight technology should join AHS: www.vtol.org/membership.


Enjoy!
Mike.
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Thanks Mike! Wish I could make it out for the Forum. Should be very interesting this year.
 
Had started a 3-view from the photos and updated it somewhat now, using the manufacturers
drawing shown in vertiflite. Mine is still not as precise (rotors too big and position of the landing
gear just a guess), but maybe gives an idea, what the real thing looks like.
Contrary to the drawings in vertiflite, here it is with the cockpit fairing.
 

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IMHO, this is one of the most exciting projects going on in the aerospace world at the moment.
 
FYI, AgustaWestland VP Dr. James Wang is giving a talk at the AHS Forum next week, where he is expected to talk about Project Zero. AW also has a exhibit booth planned, featuring Project Zero. Keep an eye on the AHS Facebook page for updates: http://www.facebook.com/AHS.Intl. Or follow us on Twitter, etc. -- see www.vtol.org/connect.
 
vstol said:
FYI, AgustaWestland VP Dr. James Wang is giving a talk at the AHS Forum next week, where he is expected to talk about Project Zero. AW also has a exhibit booth planned, featuring Project Zero. Keep an eye on the AHS Facebook page for updates: http://www.facebook.com/AHS.Intl. Or follow us on Twitter, etc. -- see www.vtol.org/connect.
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Wish I was there Mike!
 
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-project-zero-tiltrotor-makes-paris-debut-387291/
 
yasotay said:
vstol said:
FYI, AgustaWestland VP Dr. James Wang is giving a talk at the AHS Forum next week, where he is expected to talk about Project Zero. AW also has a exhibit booth planned, featuring Project Zero. Keep an eye on the AHS Facebook page for updates: http://www.facebook.com/AHS.Intl. Or follow us on Twitter, etc. -- see www.vtol.org/connect.
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Wish I was there Mike!
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FYI, at the Forum, James Wang showed an 8 minute video and gave an excellent narration of the incredible story, which really complemented the article we had in Vertiflite: http://vtol.org/publications/vertiflite-magazine/project-zero

More news coverage at the Paris Air Show:

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/paris-air-show/2013-06-17/agusta-westland-all-electric-tiltrotor-makes-paris-debut

http://news.yahoo.com/lightbox/man-walks-past-aircraft-agusta-westland-project-zero-photo-193755667.html

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57589874-76/project-zero-tiltrotor-shows-off-battery-powered-flight/
 
It was tough photographing this beautiful prototype considering the way it was displayed, but anway, here's some photos taken today at Le Bourget:

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Thanks for those photos! The main gear legs are retracting inwards/slightly backwards,
is that right ? Wasn't recognisable on the photos published so far.
 
Jemiba said:
Thanks for those photos! The main gear legs are retracting inwards/slightly backwards,
is that right ? Wasn't recognisable on the photos published so far.
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Indeed thank you for the splendid photos!
 
A really futuristic and fashionable design...but a aerodynamic nightmare ;D

I will be convinced of its innovative energy as soon as I see a flight video including flawless in/outbound transitions (I don't doubt it hovers flawless) ;)

Cheers!
 
Walkaround
 

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Another great Thanks! These are fantastic photos.
 

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