| Hummingbird RPX-100 ALPHA | |
|---|---|
| |
| The Hummingbird RPX-100 ALPHA is displayed at the lobby of PATTS College of Aeronautics. | |
| Role | Light utility helicopter |
| National origin | Philippines |
| Manufacturer | Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation |
| First flight | 8 May 1998 (11:44 A.M.) [1] |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Primary user | Philippine Air Force |
| Number built | 1 prototype |
| 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]
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]
Related development
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