Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 45 minutes ago
magniX and Robinson Helicopter Company to Develop Battery Electric R66 Helicopter Demonstrator
Vertical Flight Society Senior Editor Ken Swartz interviewed David Smith, President and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company and Reed Macdonald, CEO of magniX at EAA AirVenture immediately after the companies announced an agreement to jointly develop a battery electric demonstrator based on the Robinson R66 platform. The two companies plan to have the first flight of this demonstrator take place in late 2026.
magniX will provide its fully integrated electric powertrain for helicopters, including the first of its range of lightweight, high speed HeliStorm engines designed for rotorcraft applications. It will also share its Samson batteries, with the highest energy density in aerospace and unmatched cycle life.
“We are excited to be working with Robinson to lead the transformation of the helicopter industry by creating the next generation of vertical lift propulsion systems,” said Reed Macdonald, CEO of magniX. “We have already flown two groundbreaking electric Robinson helicopters and I look forward to deploying our HeliStorm electric engines and Samson batteries under this program.”
“magniX’s proven experience in electric propulsion, and previous experience with the R44 makes them the right partner to collaborate on alternative powerplant solutions,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. “This agreement allows us to develop market-leading, zero-emission solutions that meet the needs of many critical mission types.”
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Are you interested in drones, helicopters, advanced rotorcraft and/or electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft? Are you having a hard time keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of the Advanced Air Mobility and Urban Air Mobility industry? Confused as to what eVTOL, VTOL, STOL, UAM, UAS, AAM, UTM… is and how it will impact you? Are you looking for serious facts and discussions concerning innovation and technology in the aerospace, rotorcraft, eVTOL, and helicopter industries? Search no more. The Vertical Flight Society is your global one-stop-shop for staying up-to-date and informed on all things vertical flight in this rapidly changing technological space.
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magniX and Robinson Helicopter Company to Develop Battery Electric R66 Helicopter Demonstrator
Vertical Flight Society Senior Editor Ken Swartz interviewed David Smith, President and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company and Reed Macdonald, CEO of magniX at EAA AirVenture immediately after the companies announced an agreement to jointly develop a battery electric demonstrator based on the Robinson R66 platform. The two companies plan to have the first flight of this demonstrator take place in late 2026.
magniX will provide its fully integrated electric powertrain for helicopters, including the first of its range of lightweight, high speed HeliStorm engines designed for rotorcraft applications. It will also share its Samson batteries, with the highest energy density in aerospace and unmatched cycle life.
“We are excited to be working with Robinson to lead the transformation of the helicopter industry by creating the next generation of vertical lift propulsion systems,” said Reed Macdonald, CEO of magniX. “We have already flown two groundbreaking electric Robinson helicopters and I look forward to deploying our HeliStorm electric engines and Samson batteries under this program.”
“magniX’s proven experience in electric propulsion, and previous experience with the R44 makes them the right partner to collaborate on alternative powerplant solutions,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. “This agreement allows us to develop market-leading, zero-emission solutions that meet the needs of many critical mission types.”
=================================================
Are you interested in drones, helicopters, advanced rotorcraft and/or electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft? Are you having a hard time keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of the Advanced Air Mobility and Urban Air Mobility industry? Confused as to what eVTOL, VTOL, STOL, UAM, UAS, AAM, UTM… is and how it will impact you? Are you looking for serious facts and discussions concerning innovation and technology in the aerospace, rotorcraft, eVTOL, and helicopter industries? Search no more. The Vertical Flight Society is your global one-stop-shop for staying up-to-date and informed on all things vertical flight in this rapidly changing technological space.
Check out the Vertical Flight Society’s website at: vtol.org
Subscribe to all things Vertical Flight Society and vertical lift on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/VTOLSociety?sub_confirmation=1
#vtolsociety #helicopter #rotorcraft #VTOL #verticalflight
Looking for something specific? Check out these handy links:
• Membership: vtol.org/membership
• Vertiflite Magazine: vtol.org/vertiflite
• Press Releases: vtol.org/press-releases
• Technical Library: vtol.org/library
• eVTOL News: https://evtol.news
• Vertipedia: vertipedia.vtol.org
• Gallery: gallery.vtol.org
____________________________________________________________________________
VFS SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay up-to-date and in the know while on the go. Like and follow VFS on social media:
• facebook.com/VTOLsociety
• facebook.com/electricVTOL
• linkedin.com/company/vtolsociety
• linkedin.com/groups/3922985 (private group)
• twitter.com/VTOLsociety
• twitter.com/ElectricVTOL
• twitter.com/DiversiFlite
