PADC Hummingbird
| Hummingbird RPX-100 ALPHA | |
|---|---|
 The Hummingbird RPX-100 ALPHA is displayed at the lobby of PATTS College of Aeronautics. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Light utility helicopter |
| National origin | Philippines |
| Manufacturer | Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Primary user | Philippine Air Force |
| Number built | 1 prototype |
| History | |
| First flight | 8 May 1998 (11:44 A.M.) [1] |
| Developed from | MBB/Eurocopter Bo 105C |
The PADC Hummingbird was a light utility helicopter that was developed by the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation to reduce dependence on second-hand aircraft for the Philippine Air Force.[2]
Design and development
[edit]
During the 1980s, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) wanted to reduce dependence on foreign aircraft by starting indigenous programs. This resulted in the "Hummingbird". The project was not allowed to proceed by the government until July 1997, when then-President Fidel Ramos authorized spending.[3]
After then-President Joseph Estrada was elected, an assessment was conducted on the Hummingbird. The review concluded that the project was likely to be unjustifiably lengthy and expensive.[4] Another factor was that the Hummingbird was an unlicensed copy of the MBB/Eurocopter Bo 105C and Eurocopter planned to raise lawsuits regarding the project.[5][4]
Variants
[edit]- X-100A
- One prototype converted from an MBB/Eurocopter Bo 105C.[6]
Surviving aircraft
[edit]- The prototype was previously stored at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.[6]
- The prototype is now displayed at the lobby of PATTS College of Aeronautics
See also
[edit]Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
[edit]- ^ Ferreras, Ernesto Jr. (July 6, 2013). "Philippine Aircraft Research & Development: a brief outline". aeroengineer101.blogspot.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Philippine Aerospace Industry". globalsecurity.org. April 3, 2012. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- ^ "The Phil. Aerospace Dev't Corporation & The Indigenous Aircraft Revival". Pitz Defense Analysis. 27 September 2016. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ a b "gulftoday.ae | Philippines to close aerospace agency for inactivity". 2017-12-28. Archived from the original on 2017-12-28. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ Javier, Erick Nielson. "Opportunities and Challenges facing Philippine Defense Industrial Development". National Defense College of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ a b Filmer, Paul (December 2011). "Worldwide: Military Aviation in Manila". globalaviationresource.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
