Mon, Apr 13, 2009
Sikorky's X2 Expected To Conduct Speed Trials In West Palm
Beach
A relatively small South Florida airfield -- all-but-invisible
to most on the ground -- has given a big economic boom to the
region, and may soon host a new speed record attempt as well.
The Palm Beach Post reports Sikorsky Aircraft will soon ship its
experimental X2 helicopter prototype to the company's flight center
near West Palm Beach for further trials. The novel
helicopter/airplane hybrid is poised to break the rotorcraft speed
record of 250 knots later this year.
Despite its relatively unobtrusive nature -- nestled between a
wildlife sanctuary and a major highway -- the Sikorsky Aircraft
Development Flight Center has proven to be an economic stalwart for
the region. As many aerospace companies laid off workers in 2008,
the center actually increased its ranks by 365 workers, to a total
head count of 878, according to General Manager Pete Ladyko.
Employees there perform final assembly on the latest derivative
of the venerable UH-60 Black Hawk, among other tasks. Five aircraft
development programs are underway at the facility, as well.
Perhaps the most glamorous of those is the single-seat X2
Technology Demonstrator. Fitted with dual counter rotating coaxial
rotors and a large shaft-driven pusher propeller at the tail, the
testbed is designed to establish that a helicopter can cruise
comfortably at 250 knots, while retaining helicopter attributes
like efficient hovering, and safe autorotation.
As ANN reported, the X2 first flew August 27
at the Sikorsky-Schweizer Hawk Works near Elmira, NY. The first
flights with the pusher prop engaged -- so far, the propeller has
only been run up during ground trials -- are expected to be done at
West Palm Beach.
With all propulsion systems running, Sikorsky expects the X2
will easily surmount the current 249-knot speed record for
rotorcraft, now held by an AgustaWestland Lynx.
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