Piasecki Aircraft
Encyclopedia
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) was founded by American
vertical flight pioneer, the late Frank Piasecki
, to continue pursuing the development of compound helicopters and other advanced rotorcraft.
The company's origins dated back to 1936 with the formation of the P-V Engineering Forum in 1940 and it was renamed the Piasecki Helicopter Corporation in 1946. After a falling out with other owners, Frank Piasecki and some of his design team left to form Piasecki Aircraft Corporation in 1955. Piasecki Helicopter Corporation eventually became Vertol Aircraft Corporation (bought by Boeing
to form Boeing Vertol and now called Boeing IDS Rotorcraft Division
).
In 2005, the company was selected as prime contractor for two United States Army
FCS
UAV
systems. The FCS Class III UAV system contract was awarded to the company in late 2006 following a competitive downselect of four competing technologies. As part of that effort, the company flew the world's first autonomous autogyro
. The company has been developing and flight-testing the X-49 experimental compound helicopter since the mid-2000s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
vertical flight pioneer, the late Frank Piasecki
Frank Piasecki
Frank Piasecki was an American engineer and helicopter aviation pioneer. Piasecki pioneered tandem rotor helicopter designs and created the compound helicopter concept of vectored thrust using a ducted propeller.-Biography:...
, to continue pursuing the development of compound helicopters and other advanced rotorcraft.
History
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
to form Boeing Vertol and now called Boeing IDS Rotorcraft Division
Boeing Helicopters
Boeing Rotorcraft Systems is a US aircraft manufacturer, now part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security...
).
In 2005, the company was selected as prime contractor for two United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
FCS
Future Combat Systems
Future Combat Systems was the United States Army's principal modernization program from 2003 to early 2009. Formally launched in 2003, FCS was envisioned to create new brigades equipped with new manned and unmanned vehicles linked by an unprecedented fast and flexible battlefield network...
UAV
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
systems. The FCS Class III UAV system contract was awarded to the company in late 2006 following a competitive downselect of four competing technologies. As part of that effort, the company flew the world's first autonomous autogyro
Autogyro
An autogyro , also known as gyroplane, gyrocopter, or rotaplane, is a type of rotorcraft which uses an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift, and an engine-powered propeller, similar to that of a fixed-wing aircraft, to provide thrust...
. The company has been developing and flight-testing the X-49 experimental compound helicopter since the mid-2000s.
Products
- Piasecki 16HPiasecki 16H|-See also:-References:Bibliography*Robb, Raymond L. , Vertiflite. Summer 2006. American Helicopter Society.-External links:* * * *...
-1 World's first shaft driven compound helicopter - 1962 - Piasecki 16HPiasecki 16H|-See also:-References:Bibliography*Robb, Raymond L. , Vertiflite. Summer 2006. American Helicopter Society.-External links:* * * *...
-1A Modified 16H-1 to attain speed over 200 mph (89 m/s) - 1965 - Piasecki 16HPiasecki 16H|-See also:-References:Bibliography*Robb, Raymond L. , Vertiflite. Summer 2006. American Helicopter Society.-External links:* * * *...
-3 Study of next generation of compound helicopter - PA-59K/VZ-8PVZ-8 Airgeep-References:NotesBibliography*Harding, Stephen. "Flying Jeeps: The US Army's Search for the Ultimate 'Vehicle'". Air Enthusiast, No. 73, January/February 1998. Stamford, Lincs, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0143 5450. pp.10-12.-External links:*...
First successful Flying Geep 1958 - PA-59N "Seageep"VZ-8 Airgeep-References:NotesBibliography*Harding, Stephen. "Flying Jeeps: The US Army's Search for the Ultimate 'Vehicle'". Air Enthusiast, No. 73, January/February 1998. Stamford, Lincs, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0143 5450. pp.10-12.-External links:*...
1961 - PA-59H Airgeep IIVZ-8 Airgeep-References:NotesBibliography*Harding, Stephen. "Flying Jeeps: The US Army's Search for the Ultimate 'Vehicle'". Air Enthusiast, No. 73, January/February 1998. Stamford, Lincs, UK:Key Publishing. ISSN 0143 5450. pp.10-12.-External links:*...
1962 - PA-39 Multiple helicopter heavy lift system 1980s (Only design studies. Never went into production)
- Piasecki PA-97Piasecki PA-97- External links :* * - All The World's Rotorcraft*...
Helistat heavy vertical airlifter 1986 - Piasecki X-49