Conceptual design of an electric helicopter powertrain

The large number of rotating parts in a conventional helicopter powertrain motivates the study of an electric alternative. The feasibility of such an electrically driven helicopter is not straightforward; however it is promising provided a good understanding of both the helicopter flying requirements and the possibilities given by modern custom-designed drive systems are brought together. As with electric vehicles, the development of appropriate energy storage technologies plays a key role in the feasibility of such an electric helicopter due to the necessity to achieve adequate endurance.