Sikorsky X2 Makes First Flight

Sikorsky's high speed technology demonstrator, the X2, made its first flight yesterday from the Schweizer Aircraft's rapid prototyping facility in Horseheads, New York. The 30 minute flight was a long awaited milestone as it was originally scheduled to take place two years ago. Designed to cruise at a whopping 250 kts, the X2 will start a test phase with work on hovering with its coaxial main rotors before completing a four phase program wrapping up with high speed flight. The test program is intended to assist Sikorsky with deciding whether or not to develop the X2 for civilian production by 2010. The X2 gets its power from a Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Co. (LHTEC) T800 engine that was originally developed for the now defunct RAH-66 Comanche helicopter. While its design is not completely original, it does feature new fly-by-wire controls and advanced avionics that engineers hope will counter the high vibration issues found in other coaxial rotor designs. Sikorsky could use the X2 as a stepping stone for both civil and military products featuring the coaxial, compound design which already improves over previous designs in the sexiness department.



Images: Sikorsky
[Flight Global]

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