Fri, Jul 31, 2009
Prepping For High-Speed Test Flights
Aiming to achieve the highest speed ever recorded for a
helicopter, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.'s X2 Technology demonstrator
has relocated to the company's Florida flight facility as it begins
the next phases of testing in the experimental program.
The X2 Technology demonstrator combines an integrated suite of
technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art,
counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to
demonstrate a helicopter can cruise comfortably at 250 knots while
retaining such desirable attributes as excellent low speed
handling, efficient hovering, and a seamless and simple transition
to high speed.
For the past three years, the X2 Technology demonstrator program
has been located at the Sikorsky Global Helicopters operation in
Horseheads, New York, where the demonstrator achieved first flight
last year. "The move to Sikorsky's West Palm Beach facility
signifies a major turning point in this program as we have
officially concluded Phase One testing," said Jim Kagdis, Program
Manager, Sikorsky Advanced Programs.
"Now we will fully test the integrated system to include the
coaxial main rotor dynamic system with pusher propeller, and we'll
look to validate the key performance parameters of high speed, low
noise, low vibration and low pilot workload. We have a lot of work
ahead of us, and the Florida facility will provide ample room and a
climate that will serve this program well as it moves toward the
250-knot milestone," Kagdis said.
Among the innovative technologies the X2 Technology demonstrator
employs are:
- Fly-by-wire flight controls.
- Counter-rotating rigid rotor blades.
- Hub drag reduction.
- Active vibration control.
- Integrated auxiliary propulsion system.
In 2005, Sikorsky began to commit resources and full funding for
X2 Technology program development. "The program has executed
according to plan. With the move to West Palm Beach, we will
continue to work with our customers and share with them this
exciting, innovative technology to see if we can meet their future
commercial or military needs," said Mark Miller, Sikorsky Vice
President of Research & Engineering.
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