28 August 2008
SIkorsky has made the first flight of its ground-breaking X2 Technology helicopter.
The helicopter, which has counter-rotating coaxial rotors and a ‘pusher’ propeller at the rear has been in development for several years. A prototype was seen for the first time in public earlier this year.
The first flight took place at Horseheads, New York state, yesterday. The 30 minute flight is reported to have involved hover manoeuvres, forward flight and a hover turn.
Among the aims of the project are to reach a 250kt top speed, which is possible as the design does away with a conventional tail rotor, replacing it with a propeller slightly reminiscent of a gyrocopter. While increasing the top speed, the design should also be able to retain (according to the company) “such desirable helicopter attributes as excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering, and safe autorotation, combined with a seamless and simple transition to high speed.”
Sikorsky President Jeffrey P. Pino added “X2 TECHNOLOGY has crossed a major threshold. The team’s achievement sets the stage for the next series of tests eventually leading to maximum speed. It also sparks the imagination for what ultimately the technology can mean to the future of the rotorcraft industry. We are far from having a product, but closer than ever to realizing the potential.”
