Design Based On The Eurocopter X3 Prototype

Airbus has filed a patent on an advanced version of its Eurocopter X3, which set an unofficial speed record of 263 knots in 2013.

The patent abstract indicates that the "invention relates to a compound helicopter comprising a fuselage, at least one engine and a main rotor driven by said at least one engine.

"At least one pair of fixed wings are mounted in an essentially horizontal plane on a left hand and a right hand side of the fuselage and horizontally oriented propulsion devices are mounted to each of said fixed wings, said fixed wings encompassing each a drive shaft from said at least one engine.

"Each fixed wing comprises a lower main wing and an upper secondary wing being connected to each other within an interconnection region. The propulsion devices are arranged at said interconnection region and said upper secondary wing  houses the drive shaft from said at least one engine."

The X3 was, of course, a concept aircraft. Whether it makes it all the way through to certification and production is still very much an open question ... but Airbus has protected the concept, which is one step in that direction.

(Image from U.S. Patent Office)

FMI: Patent www.google.com/patents/US9321526