European Tilt Rotor Technology Unveiled – the European helicopter maker AgustaWestland has unveiled the world's first electric tilt-rotor aircraft – Project Zero - and follows AgustaWestland's belief that tilt rotor technology is the best layout for the future of fast vertical lift aircraft.

As a rival to the Bell Boeing V-22 OSPREY, the new electric aircraft can take off and land like a helicopter, but fly like an airplane.     AgustaWestland is no stranger to tilt rotor aircraft, having taken over the AW609, (formerly the Bell Agusta 609) a civilian tilt rotor aircraft.       The AW609 resembles the V-22 OSPREY but is smaller and has a pressurised cabin.    Unlike the OSPREY or the AW 609, which mount their engines and propellers at the end of each small wing, Project Zero has two integrated rotors within the wingspan of the aircraft. The rotors are entirely electric powered and can be rotated more than 90 degrees.   The first flight was made in Italy in 2011, an unmanned flight completed while the aircraft was tethered to the ground.     Additional untethered test flights have been made since then. The rotors are horizontal during takeoff and landing, providing lift via the thrust produced. During cruise flight, the rotors turn and act like propellers on an airplane, and most of the lift will be produced by the horizontal wing. The wing tips are detachable for missions when the aircraft's primary use will be as a helicopter.