AgustaWestland was honored this week with the 2014 American Helicopter Museum and Education Center Achievement Award for advancements in rotary wing technologies based on the success of the Project Zero tiltrotor technology incubator.  Accepting the award on behalf of AgustaWestland at the American Helicopter Museum’s annual gala was Dr. James Wang, Vice President of Research and Development, for a “significant impact to furthering rotary-wing aviation during the past year.”

“The recognition by the American Helicopter Museum of Project Zero is a reflection of AgustaWestland’s commitment to investment in vertical flight research and development and builds upon the positive reception of this technology incubator within the rotorcraft industry,” said Marc Sheffler, Chairman of the Board, American Helicopter Museum & Education Center. “Project Zero’s stunning design, disruptive innovation and accelerated development represent a significant accomplishment and is an inspiration to all.” The Project Zero team successfully designed, built, and flew a highly innovative, one-ton, all-electric vertical lift aircraft in six months that established many world firsts, and worked as a lean and highly agile integrated team of 16 companies across three continents. The team maintained the philosophy of, “if it can be dreamt, it can be built.” Partners to the Project Zero initiative were Selex ES, AnsaldoBreda, AnsaldoEnergia, Sistemi Dinamici, Stile Bertone, Lola Composites, Lucchi R. Elettromeccanica, Rotor Systems Research LLC, UCHIDA, Microtecnica, ORAL Engineering, Wind River, MB Motorsport, Aerosviluppi, Marc’Ingegno.

Established in 2009, the inaugural Achievement Award by the American Helicopter Museum went to AgustaWestland, recognizing Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik for shattering the around-the-world helicopter speed record in the AW109.  It is an unprecedented accomplishment for an organization to be recognized with a second award. The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center is located in West Chester ,PA, and aims to preserve and protect our nation’s rotary-wing aviation heritage and to inspire future generations of engineers, scientists and aviators through active education programs and community outreach.