
Boeing is partnering with Calgary to develop a new king of vertical-takeoff-and landing rotocraft able to carry loads twice as heavy as those that can be carried by the world’s largest helicopter in service, the Mil Mi-26.
The JHL-40 Jess Heavy Lifter will be a “neutrally buoyant” aircraft, features a helium-filled balloon. In addition, it will have four helicopter-style rotors for vertical lift, and computer graphics of the planned aircraft show it also fitted with ducted propellers to propel the JHL-40 horizontally. This will make the JHL-40 capable of lifting a sling load of nearly 40 tons and transporting it up to 200 nautical miles without refueling, according to Boeing.
The JHL-40’s planned payload will be approximately twice the maximum load that the Mil Mi-26 can lift. The Mi-12 built in the 1960s flew for two years could carry 88,000 pounds, more than the JHL-40 is planned to be able to lift. This enormous helicopter of tomorrow will be 302 feet long, 217 feet wide and 118 feet high, and size-wise, it will be the largest helicopter, ever.




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