Photo Credit: Robinson Helicopter
Unither Bioelectronics, a Canadian company known for its expertise in airborne transport of lab-grown lungs, has partnered with Robinson Helicopter Company, a leading light rotorcraft manufacturer based in California, to explore hydrogen-powered aviation. This collaboration aims to develop a fleet of hydrogen-powered electric helicopters specifically designed for organ delivery, promising significant improvements in efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Phase 1: Developing and Testing Hydrogen Helicopters
The partnership involves adapting Robinson Helicopter’s R44 and R66 models to operate on hydrogen fuel cells. The modified R44 helicopter, now equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, is set to conduct its inaugural flight. Under a new agreement signed on August 14, the partners are also working on developing a hydrogen-powered version of the R66 helicopter, which will feature optional pilot capabilities. Mikael Cardinal, Vice President of Programme Management at Unither, noted, “Phase one focuses on perfecting the hydrogen powerplant system. Simultaneously, we are advancing the development of an optionally piloted or more autonomous helicopter.”
Developing and testing the hydrogen-powered helicopters is the initial phase before Unither and Robinson Helicopter can seek Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada Civil Aviation certification. The envisioned hydrogen-powered aircraft will range approximately 250 nautical miles (463 kilometers), targeting initial operations along the East Coast of Canada and the USA. As fuel cell technology evolves, it is anticipated to become lighter and extend the aircraft’s range further.
Martine Rothblatt, CEO of United Therapeutics, Unither’s parent company, emphasized the initiative’s significance: “Just as protons from hydrogen atoms drive the mitochondrial power plants in each of our body’s cells, we look forward to using protons from green hydrogen to drive the membrane-based fuel cell power plants in our Robinson R66 organ-delivery electric helicopters.”
Hydrogen-Powered Rotorcrafts and Their Impact on Green Aviation
The collaboration between Unither and Robinson Helicopter aims to redefine aviation and medical logistics standards, advance sustainable aviation practices, and potentially expand the applications of hydrogen-powered aircraft across various transportation sectors.
Unither has also made significant progress in electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (EVTOLs), which can operate autonomously or with a pilot. Integrating hydrogen fuel cells into these EVTOLs represents a significant advancement in combining sustainability with efficient organ delivery solutions. This zero-emission technology is expected to reduce the environmental impact of traditional aviation fuels, making the transport of life-saving organs more sustainable.
