Helix Advanced Rotorcraft Systems is developing the Apex Series — a family of hybrid-electric tilt-rotor aircraft that deliver the payload and range of a turboprop with the hover capability of a helicopter. No aircraft in production today offers this combination.
The US military spends over $12B annually on rotorcraft procurement. The aerial firefighting industry contracts $3.2B per year in aviation services. Both markets are underserved by existing aircraft — the CH-47 is 60 years old, and the V-22 Osprey costs $72M per unit. The Apex Pelican targets a $9M unit price with a 50% gross margin.
We are raising a $50M Series A to fund the prototype build, FAA Part 27 certification campaign, and initial production tooling. Strategic investors with aerospace, defense, or energy sector connections are preferred.
Series hybrid-electric architecture eliminates the complex gearbox that makes conventional tilt-rotors expensive to build and maintain. The V-22 Osprey's transmission alone costs $2.1M per aircraft.
The Pelican's $4.46M materials cost and $5.23M manufacturing cost yield a 50.2% gross margin — exceptional for aerospace hardware and driven by the simplified electric drivetrain.
Military and firefighting customers operate on independent procurement cycles, providing revenue diversification. A single aircraft platform serves both markets with minor mission equipment changes.
The hybrid-electric tilt-rotor architecture qualifies for DoD SBIR/STTR funding across multiple topic areas (propulsion, autonomy, survivability), reducing dilutive equity requirements.
Rotorcraft design & hybrid propulsion
Seeking — aerospace structures background
Seeking — tilt-rotor type rating preferred
Seeking — DoD acquisition experience
We welcome conversations with strategic investors, defense primes, and government agencies. Reach out to schedule a technical briefing or request our full investor data room.