Paris Le Bourget Air Show day two

James Wang with Project Zero

Day two at Paris, Le Bourget Air Show. Interesting talk with James Wang the innovator of Project Zero a helicopter technology test bed. Choosing the shape of the test bed he apparently said: helicopters have been flying for 60 years and the shape has not changed at all - why don't we try something new.
The test bed, which flew remotely, is powered by batteries stacked in-line, with an electric motor and individually accuated blades. The body and the blades are composite - although with metal where necessary, eg on the electric motor and the rivets etc.
The project flew 6 months ago and since then has been the design team's secret (some 20 people). However, current circumstances (they say) which presumably means the India bribery scandal, has led to them bringing the project to Paris to get some positive PR.

More in the Summer issue of Helicopter Life magazine.