Friday, May 21, 2010

Sikorsky X2 Helicopter Progressing Toward Record Speed

Sikorsky X2 Helicopter Progressing Toward Record Speed Autopia Wired.com
"Next week Sikorsky plans to finish the third phase of flight testing for its new X2 helicopter with a flight of 180 knots (207 miles per hour).

The X2 team has been slowly expanding the performance envelope of the technology demonstrator and says they expect to reach their goal speed of 250 knots (288 miles per hour) some time in the late summer or early fall.

The X2 uses a coaxial main rotor system, eliminating the need for the tail rotor that typically counters the torque of a single main rotor.

In place of a tail rotor, the X2 has a propeller at the back of the aircraft that generates thrust similar in a similar manner as a fixed-wing aircraft."

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