Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development arm of Sikorsky Aircraft, will unveil Project Firefly-an all-electric helicopter technology demonstrator-at AirVenture on Monday, July 26, in the Aviation Learning Center.

The announcement came at Farnborough International Air Show in the United Kingdom, which opened on Monday, July 19.

The demonstrator is an S-300C helicopter with a high-efficiency, 200-horsepower electric motor and digital controller from U.S. Hybrid, coupled with a lithium ion energy storage system from Gaia, automated monitoring and alert technologies and next generation cockpit displays. Eagle Aviation Technologies, LLC, performed the custom airframe modifications and assembled the aircraft.

Mark Miller, vice president, Sikorsky Research & Engineering, said propulsion efficiency of the electric-powered aircraft has been increased roughly 300 percent from baseline. "Electric propulsion also inherently simplifies the complexity of the propulsion system by reducing the quantity of moving parts, increasing reliability while reducing direct operating costs," he said.

First flight is anticipated later this year. AirVenture's Aviation Learning Center is supported by GE Aviation.