Composite Integration, Hill Helicopters collaborate to manufacture HX50

Hill Helicopters (Rugeley, U.K.) unveiled in August its disruptive, ground-up helicopter, the HX50, a five-seat, turbine-powered, 500-horsepower rotorcraft. More recently, Composite Integration (Saltash, U.K.), a company specializing in the design and manufacture of equipment and tooling for composites manufacture, announced its collaboration with Hill Helicopters for the rotorcraft’s manufacture. 

Designed by a team of hand-selected, highly skilled engineers led by aeronautics engineer Dr. Jason Hill, Ph.D., the HX50 is said to be a fusion of refined performance and artistic elegance. According to Hill Helicopters, its composite airframe and three-bladed rotor system, optimized engine and more make the HX50 a high-performance and luxurious personal aircraft.  The design has a 500shp (372-kilowatt) turboshaft engine and boasts a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1,650 kilograms (3,640 pounds) and a useful load of around 800 kilograms. It will seat four passengers and one pilot. 

According to Innovate UK documents when the project was first revealed in August, the aircraft “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.”

Its collaboration with Composite Integration will move along the rotorcraft’s innovative manufacture. According to the company, Composites Integration is using its extensive experience in closed-mold and infusion process technology to design and manufacture tooling and first off components for the high-performance composite fuselage. Following multiple recent projects for both process development and equipment design/manufacture in the aerospace sector, this project is said to provide an excellent platform to demonstrate the company’s capabilities.  Founded in 2002, Composite Integration has delivered new technologies, processes and production solutions into aerospace, renewable energy, marine and automotive sectors. 

“The helicopter industry has long awaited an Elon Musk-style disruption that redefines the modern helicopter. The wait is over,” says Hill, founder and CEO of Hill Helicopters. “The only way to create something that is truly groundbreaking is to design from the ground up, giving equal focus to aerospace design, performance, and safety as well as to the artistic and experiential aspects, including comfort, ergonomics, intuitive technology, and luxury. The HX50 brings all of this together to deliver a truly unique aircraft and experience.”

The HX50 is currently in the advanced design phase, with three prototypes scheduled to begin flight testing in 2022. The first deliveries are anticipated to take place in 2023.