emissions-free flight
Houston-area company to develop next-gen batteries for electric helicopters
Webster-based KULR Technology Group has announced a strategic co-development collaboration with Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) to develop a next-generation, high-performance battery system for the eR66 battery-electric helicopter demonstrator.
KULR, an electronics manufacturing company, will serve as the developer of the advanced battery system for the eR66 platform. KULR will design and integrate a high-performance battery structure that uses its proprietary battery safety technologies and thermal management solutions, previously developed for aerospace and spaceflight applications.
California-based Robinson Helicopter Company is the world's leading manufacturer of civil helicopters. Its eR66 is expected to deliver zero-emission, affordable and quiet performance for “high-demand applications.”
“Robinson Helicopter has built more civil helicopters than any manufacturer on Earth, and their commitment to reliability is exactly the standard KULR’s battery architecture is designed to meet,” Michael Mo, CEO of KULR, said in a news release. “KULR’s battery systems have been qualified for NASA spaceflight. They were designed from day one for dual use: a primary flight cycle and a certified second life. The eR66 is where that architecture proves itself in rotorcraft.”
David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company, cited the partnership as a shift in service for commercial and civil operations and touted the potential environmental benefits.
“By integrating electric propulsion, we aren't just reducing our environmental impact; we are unlocking critical new capabilities for life-saving missions,” Smith added in the release. “For use cases like rapid organ and tissue transport, the reduced acoustic signature and zero-emission profile ensure that time-sensitive, low-emission deliveries are faster, quieter, and more sustainable than ever before."
The companies say, through the partnership, they aim to:
- Advance eR66 performance
- Enhance aviation safety
- Increase cost efficiency
- Uphold American aerospace leadership
- Support decarbonization
- Promote circular economy principles