Piasecki Aircraft Corporation has been awarded a $37 million multi-year contract by AFWERX and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under the Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) program. This substantial funding is aimed at advancing Piasecki’s Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES) and its hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technologies.
ARES is a modular, multi-mission tilt-duct VTOL unmanned aerial system designed for versatile applications, including combat, ISR, and logistics support. It features a unique configuration that allows seamless transition between hover and fixed-wing flight, addressing key military challenges. This demonstration will also showcase the integration of a triplex fly-by-wire flight control system, with flight testing slated to begin by the end of the year.
Additionally, the contract will support the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology in collaboration with ZeroAvia. This technology will power the PA-890, a compound helicopter designed to be the first zero-emission hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft. The PA-890 aims to reduce carbon emissions, lower operational costs by up to 50%, and offer greater range compared to all-electric helicopters.
Piasecki recently acquired the former Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Heliplex facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. This 219,000-square-foot facility will be transformed into a state-of-the-art R&D and testing center for VTOL and UAS vehicles and is expected to create about 400 jobs by 2028.