A rotorcraft capable of a hover mode and a forward cruise mode comprising: a fuselage having a top surface and a rear end; a first electric propulsion system comprising: an air compressor, the air compressor having an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for releasing compressed air; a first electric motor configured to drive the air compressor, the first electric motor comprising a high speed electric motor; a pair of rotor blades disposed above the top surface of the fuselage, the rotor blades comprising a hollow portion; and a conduit in fluid communication with the air compressor outlet and the hollow portion of the rotor blades; wherein the compressed air flows from the air compressor outlet into the conduit and into the hollow portion of the rotor blades, the compressed air is discharged from the hollow portion of the rotor blades to impart rotation thereon during hover mode; a second electric propulsion system comprising: a propeller disposed in the rear end of the fuselage; and a second electric motor configured to drive the propeller, the second electric motor comprising a low speed electric motor; and an electric power control unit to control power to the first and second electric propulsion systems (130, 160) in the hover and forward cruise modes (191, 194). a fuselage having a top surface and a rear end; a first electric propulsion system comprising: an air compressor, the air compressor having an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for releasing compressed air; a first electric motor configured to drive the air compressor, the first electric motor comprising a high speed electric motor; a pair of rotor blades disposed above the top surface of the fuselage, the rotor blades comprising a hollow portion; and a conduit in fluid communication with the air compressor outlet and the hollow portion of the rotor blades; wherein the compressed air flows from the air compressor outlet into the conduit and into the hollow portion of the rotor blades, the compressed air is discharged from the hollow portion of the rotor blades to impart rotation thereon during hover mode; an air compressor, the air compressor having an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for releasing compressed air; a first electric motor configured to drive the air compressor, the first electric motor comprising a high speed electric motor; a pair of rotor blades disposed above the top surface of the fuselage, the rotor blades comprising a hollow portion; and a conduit in fluid communication with the air compressor outlet and the hollow portion of the rotor blades; wherein the compressed air flows from the air compressor outlet into the conduit and into the hollow portion of the rotor blades, the compressed air is discharged from the hollow portion of the rotor blades to impart rotation thereon during hover mode; a second electric propulsion system comprising: a propeller disposed in the rear end of the fuselage; and a second electric motor configured to drive the propeller, the second electric motor comprising a low speed electric motor; and a propeller disposed in the rear end of the fuselage; and a second electric motor configured to drive the propeller, the second electric motor comprising a low speed electric motor; and an electric power control unit to control power to the first and second electric propulsion systems (130, 160) in the hover and forward cruise modes (191, 194).