This speedy Sikorsky X2 helicopter completed its first test flight yesterday, proving that next-generation helicopters have leaped way beyond that old criticism of them as “a collection of spare parts flying in formation.” When it’s done with testing, this dual-propped fly-by-wire speedster will blast through the air at 288mph, making it the fastest helicopter in the world.
It’s not there yet, though. This first 30-minute flight showed that the thing doesn’t fall out of the sky, but it won’t be streaking through the wild blue yonder at 288mph until its fourth test flight. If all goes well, the X2’s makers could decide to launch a whole family of these beanie-propped bullets by 2010. This is good news for Sikorsky, still smarting from losing that lucrative and prestigious Marine One (the president’s helicopter) contract to Lockheed Martin in 2005.
Flightglobal, via PointNiner
editor@dvice.com
By boxerfanatic at 1:52 PM ON 08/29/08
Is this finally getting of the ground, literally and figuratively?
By the way, this helicopter has a prop, most don't they are rotors, and there is a difference, even if related. Props give directional force in flight, rotors give lift for flight.
there are lots of benefits to counter-rotation double-rotor systems.
Inherent anti-torque. No tail rotor needed. No tail needed, other than correcting the center of gravity of the aircraft as a whole.
*The X2 uses a pusher prop to augment rotor/airframe pitch to propel the aircraft forward, not to counter the torque from the rotor.
shorter rotor lengths. Adding rotor blades means that each rotor can be shorter, lighter, with less drag per rotor. Also lowers the space requirements for landing clearances, and ground storage space.
less aircraft tilt, and other asymmetric control reaction effects with advancing and retreating rotor tips on both sides of the aircraft.
Greater ease in changing aircraft position/heading and bearing simultaneously, independently.
easier reactions and more stability to pilot input.
I am not a helicopter pilot, but I have done a lot of reading on this. Plus this is again begging me to figure out how to put a pusher prop on my little RC Blade CX2 coaxial helicopter. :D
This looks like a fun thing.
By Drae at 8:59 AM ON 09/02/08
I would love to hear more about this copter. We may be able to do something with it....
By Edward at 6:27 AM ON 12/01/08
Hi I would like some dimensions of this machine to build a scale model, it looks great.