Dragonfly Jet-Powered Helicopter Coming To The US

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Swisscopter America has unveiled a new, energy-efficient and space-saving helicopter powered by a pair of H202-driven jets in its propeller blades.  The Dragonfly DF1 features a pair of hydrogen peroxide-powered tip jets at the end of each blade that spin the propeller to provide lift.

The Dragonfly Helicopter by Swisscopter America is not the first to be powered by tip jets, but it is amongst the first to use hydrogen peroxide as a fuel for this technology.  The use of H202 produces no pollution, and a 35 gallon tank can fuel a 100 minute flight.  Since the design does away with the conventional fixed rotor powered within its body, more space and stability are available as a result.  In fact, using this design, a rear rotor is not necessary to stabilize the helicopter, it is used only to rotate the aircraft.

Swisscopter America is also developing the Dragonfly DF2 Helicopter, shown above, which features an enclosed cabin cockpit to allow for more commercial uses.  The Dragonfly DF1 Helicopter is an open cockpit system, tailored more toward entertainment flying and industrial uses like crop treatment.  Neither jet-driven helicopter is publicly priced, but it is safe to assume you’ll spend plenty more on a Dragonfly than you would on a luxury car.  The Dragonfly DF1 is available now from Swisscopter America.