Title: Re: Video of Sikorsky X2 record flight - 250 knots
Post by: Frank N. O. on October 10, 2010, 05:25:38 AM
Wicked! That's one nice little thing 8) But with a pusher-prop is it then really a true helicopter? I know the auto-gyros had free-spinning rotors and these are the real deal but still. It also reminds me a bit of the Cheyenne gunship, another wicked machine 8)
Frank
Title: Re: Video of Sikorsky X2 record flight - 250 knots
Post by: Oddball on October 10, 2010, 04:07:04 PM
Wasn't there an attack helo prototype like that build in the '70s/80's but with a single rotor?
Title: Re: Video of Sikorsky X2 record flight - 250 knots
Post by: Mike on October 10, 2010, 09:25:41 PM
I saw this thing on display at the last HAI. Didn't really believe it flies back then even though my friend who is a test pilot for Sikorsky told me it did.... ;) But I am sure old Igor ran into the same thing with his first machine as well, HA HA ::rofl::
Doesn't look like a very smooth ride though. On the radio the guy sounds like he's flying a medium! ::thinking:: ;D
Title: Re: Video of Sikorsky X2 record flight - 250 knots
Post by: Stef on October 11, 2010, 04:45:42 PM
Amazing, how slow the rotors turn!! ::)
Title: Re: Video of Sikorsky X2 record flight - 250 knots
Post by: Ragwing on October 11, 2010, 05:52:32 PM
If you want to see slow turning helicopter blades, try this video The Russians did a fantastic job. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ6vadFVjYg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ6vadFVjYg)
Title: Re: Video of Sikorsky X2 record flight - 250 knots
Post by: Ragwing on October 11, 2010, 05:54:04 PM
Speed Records
Does the Eurocopter even count? (http://www.aopa.org/images/aircraft/100929eurocopter.jpg)
Helicopter manufacturers are feeling the need for speed, and Eurocopter has challenged Sikorsky’s 250-knot X2 Technology demonstrator with its own 220-knot demonstrator. The Eurocopter X3 demonstrator hopes to reach that speed in 2011.
The X3 demonstrator’s first flight occurred Sept. 6 in southern France at a flight test center. Initial testing will continue through December with reduced power, progressively opening the flight envelope to speeds of approximately 180 knots. After a three-month upgrade, X3 flights will resume in March 2011 with the goal of reaching sustained cruise speeds in excess of 220 knots.
It is called a hybrid because it utilizes two propellers for forward speed as well as the traditional rotor. The X3 demonstrator is equipped with two turboshaft engines that power a five-blade main rotor system and two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings.
Possible missions include long-distance search-and-rescue (SAR) missions, coast guard duties, border patrol missions, passenger transport, and inter-city shuttle services. Military missions include special forces operations, troop transport, combat search and rescue, and medical evacuation benefiting from the hybrid aircraft’s combination of higher cruise speeds with excellent vertical takeoff/landing performance.
The project has been in development for three years.
Title: Re: Video of Sikorsky X2 record flight - 250 knots
Post by: Mike on October 22, 2010, 04:05:20 PM
Looks like a Dolphin with 2 props strapped to it, heh heh ;D ::angel::
I am sure, as always, Sikorsky is not gonna mention anything about this aircraft in their own press releases. And I can assume people here might still have their own attittude about the French as well. But I believe that this thing flies way smoother than the Sikorsky prototype. Almost all Eurocopters seem to fly smoother than their American counterparts (my personal experience, nobody get offended please).......
Also, I am not sure if the Germans are working with the French on this one, but if they do, they might have this thing ceritifed before Sikorsky.
Title: Re: Video of Sikorsky X2 record flight - 250 knots
Post by: Frank N. O. on October 22, 2010, 06:15:37 PM
Wasn't there an attack helo prototype like that build in the '70s/80's but with a single rotor?
I would've thought someone would've answered this already but yes, that's the one I was referring to, the one that lost to the Apache, like the "Black Widow II" lost to the Raptor/Rapier/Lightning III or whatever the F-22 was called (it should've been called Double Ugly instead of the Phantom II but at least the production-version got the vertical stabilizers better proportioned). The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne had a pusher-prop in the back besides a conventional tail-rotor. I personally think it looks fantastic and would love a 1/48 model of it next to one of Panaca Jane and Lafawnduh and of course "The Lady" (all people here just have to know who I'm referring to here). Some info, pictures and drawings here: http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/lok_cheyenne.php I just found this picture, interesting wings huh? http://aboutfacts.net/AirSpaceCraft/AS35/USArmy/ah56002_Cheyenne.jpg
