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During this ambitious and innovative project, our consortium will develop a next-generation private helicopter that delivers reduced environmental impact, lower noise levels and unprecedented levels of safety, comfort and performance at a game-changing price point. Existing helicopters suitable for private ownership are noisy, uncomfortable and have very poor load carrying capacity. Limited engine power also means that the pilot must always be aware of flight limitations to maintain safe operation. They are also expensive to purchase with high depreciation, operating and maintenance costs. The innovation within this project is focused on solving well-known deficiencies of existing helicopters to deliver an aircraft with improved flight characteristics, structural safety and which requires substantially less maintenance. The project will result in a helicopter that will appeal to a new global market -- private owners that are looking for a practical, luxurious, affordable and well specified 5-seat helicopter with low running costs (£15k per year). Research reveals that there is high demand for this specification, which is not being met by existing manufacturers. This market segment is ready for rapid commercial exploitation and we will produce helicopters from our UK manufacturing base in Cornwall. The aircraft, the HX50 Revolution, will use a suite of next-generation technologies. Key innovations include a modern turbine engine capable of running on a variety of fuel types, including biofuels. It includes advanced inlet, outlet and engine bay silencers and it will increase the power to weight ratio of the aircraft, providing improved flight characteristics and load carrying capacity for passengers and luggage. A newly designed composite airframe based on advanced materials provides a lightweight, damage tolerant and impact resistant structure and HX50 will also benefit from a new approach in rotor and hub design. This will provide superior flight performance, benign handling and superior bird & wire-strike protection. Low aerodynamic drag improves fuel consumption, whilst a luxurious and quiet interior will improve comfort. This project will utilise the above innovations to develop the first HX50 helicopter, which will be flight tested and ready for subsequent commercialisation. This is made possible by our unique business model which reduces both development & production costs. We are also able to accelerate market access and ensure that the HX50 delivers excellent value-for-money, transforming the sector for private helicopters globally. This project will create growth and new jobs in the South-West and re-invigorate the UK's helicopter industry.

The overall objective of this innovative project is to achieve robust vertically-integrated design and manufacture for structural 3-D carbon-fibre reinforced composites (CFRCs) for the High-Value Manufacturing sector and woven 3-D woven reinforcements for concrete and composites for the Construction sector. M Wright and Sons (MWS) have designed, commissioned and developed a unique CNC-controlled loom, with weaving CADCAM, capable of weaving 3-D solid carbon fibre reinforcement pre-form (CFRP) sections for CFRCs. As there is no other commercial 3-D structural CFRC manufacturing technology there are no data to analyse these components using Finite Element (FE) techniques. Key innovations are the creation of mechanical-property knowledge through the correlation of theoretical simulations and test results and the development of algorithms and software to relate 3-D solid CAD models to weaving CAD enabling composites and reinforcement pre-forms to match user requirements.