The innovation holding company Sikorsky Challenge, co-founded by the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (KPI), and the aviation company Vector LLC signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in early May. Henceforth, one of the highly potential startups supported by Sikorsky Challenge is geared to carry out the project that is intended to develop the light utility helicopter VM-4 Jmil (Bumblebee in Ukrainian) at Vector and commercialize it.
This project has scientific and applied significance for the restoration of Ukraine’s research and production potential in the realm of aircraft construction, and in the further development of the direct manufacturer of complex aircraft. According to Sikorsky Challenge director Oleksii Strutsynskyi, attracting funds from potential investors to build Jmil makes it possible to plan the production of a prototype of the VM-4 helicopter.
Vector commercial director Egor Shyshenok set out the broad prospects of small aircraft. For example, developing a medical/ambulance version of the VM-4 helicopter is well within Vector’s capabilities today. The rotorcraft can be used for evacuating the wounded, delivering small supplies such as medicines and equipment, among other things.
And how about the design features and performance of Jmil? Unlike foreign comparable models, the light multi-role four-seater helicopter will have two 145 horsepower piston engines manufactured by the Belgian company ULPower. Avionics – electronic systems designed for use in aircraft – will be supplied by the U.S. company Garmin. Depending on the type of engines, the helicopter will operate by the motor gasoline brands A-95, A-98 and A-100. Given that a takeoff mass amounts to 1,000 kilograms, Jmil will be capable of reaching maximum and cruising speeds of 230 and 200 kilometers an hour respectively for a 550 km flight range at a static ceiling of 1,500 meters. It is envisaged that the fuselage made of modern composite materials will work to Jmil’s considerable advantage over all existent comparable models of helicopters.
In the future, plans are in hand to develop a heavier, five-seater helicopter with two engines to enhance safety in case one of them fails; as well as to design light helicopters, using a hybrid rotorcraft propulsion technology. Therefore, this version of Jmil can rival the current comparable models of foreign helicopters in performance and reliability.
Regarding the availability of this project, basic scientific principles forming the basis of a new technology have been established to date. In addition, the concept of a future technology for developing Jmil, as well of its commercialization has been formulated. Moreover, laboratory experiments with the efficiency of the technology and practical demonstrations in a lab, which have formed the basis of the project, were carried out.
Also, the practical demonstration of the first prototype of Jmil took place in laboratory conditions, which proved that the previously chosen technology is efficient. Tests of components of assembly units designed for a full-size model of the helicopter were carried out. It remains to develop and build the prototype of Jmil for practical demonstration in the operational environment.
What comes next? Functional tests should be carried out to verify the working capacity of the helicopter in actual situations. The test program for Jmil will empower designers to draw up adequate documents concerning its mass production. Finally, the helicopter will be set for the first ever flight in real conditions, and its mass production organized.
And as merchants put it, you can put a decent price on the aircraft. Suppose that funds will come from the national budget or from private investors to build the prototype of Jmil. This investment should be followed by the preparation of technical documents, which will take a year. Then building the first full-scale model of the helicopter will take design engineers and specialists another year to do intensive work. Further, it will take no more than one year to conduct the performance tests of the prototype of Jmil. Successful tests could plot the path toward the manufacture of a series of Ukrainian helicopters. So, it is for investors to decide how to invest their hard-earned money.
Oleksii Strutsynskyi and Egor Shyshenko think that the commercialization of the project is one of the main factors in the implementation of plans for the full production of helicopters. However, not only does the project require investment, but the advice and expertise offered by experienced consultants are essential, which are often more valuable than a financial component.
Owing to cooperation with Sikorsky Challenge, the staff of Vector will be able to involve the graduates of the Education and Research Institute of Aerospace Technologies at Igor Sikorsky KPI in the manufacturing process. Basically, the principles of dual education enable universities to breed innovative entrepreneurs. Thus the experienced team of Vector will be waiting for young inventors and researchers.
Life does not stand still. Cooperation between Sikorsky Challenge and the aviation company Vector LLC is gradually increasing. In particular, the partners are currently preparing a joint patent for one of the helicopter elements, namely the emergency automatic stabilization system.
The holding company Sikorsky Challenge was registered in 2017 and embodied a high degree of innovation. Initially, the main purpose of its activities was to achieve the tangible results of the commercialization of innovation projects by creating micro and small technological enterprises in various sectors of the economy throughout Ukraine.
Today the role of the holding company has significantly expanded as the creation of the network of startup schools and regional innovation clusters needs to solve more problems and manage more tasks. At the same time, this network opens up more business opportunities for Sikorsky Challenge. One of its main tasks is to select promising innovation projects and startups by staging competitions at local and international levels.
In this context, consider the festival of startup projects Sikorsky Challenge. Named for Igor Sikorsky, outstanding innovator in aircraft design and KPI graduate, this festival-cum-competition has been held annually at KPI since 2011. It is a platform not only for cherry-picking the best projects evaluated by an international jury, but also for arranging meetings of researchers and startup founders with the potential investors who are representatives of investment funds, venture capital firms, and government authorities, among others. Remarkably, contracts to commercialize the engineering developments that look promising are concluded with investors on the spot.
A record number of over 300 innovative projects were submitted to the Sikorsky Challenge festival last year. Ukrainian scientists and engineers showcased prototypes of robotics, modules and unmanned aerial vehicles, and other innovative developments. Importantly, the festival has developed into a recognized platform to formulate strategies and form deep partnerships.