Eurocopter X³
| X3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Eurocopter X3 in flight | |
| Role | Experimental compound helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Eurocopter |
| First flight | 6 September 2010 |
| Status | In development/flight testing |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Eurocopter EC155 |
The Eurocopter X³ (X-Cubed) is an experimental high-speed compound helicopter under development by Eurocopter.
On May 12, 2011 it demonstrated a speed of 232 knots (267 mph; 430 km/h).[1][2]
Development
The X3 demonstrator is based on a Eurocopter EC155 helicopter with the addition of short span wings each fitted with a tractor propeller. The tractor propellers are gear driven from the two main turboshaft engines which also drive the five-bladed main rotor. The helicopter is designed to prove the concept of a high-speed helicopter which depends on the slowing down of the rotor speed to avoid drag from the advancing blade tip, and to avoid retreating blade stall by unloading the rotor while a small wing[3] is intended to provide up to 80% lift instead.[4]
The X3 first flew on 6 September 2010 from French Délégation Générale de l'Armement facility at Istres-Le Tubé Air Base. On 12 May 2011 the X3 flew at a speed of 430 km/h (267 mph) for several minutes.[5][6] Eurocopter intends to demonstrate the X3 in the USA in summer 2012. A product using X3 technology may come in 2020.[7]
No tail rotor
Conventional helicopters use tail rotors to counter the torque effect of the main rotor. The starboard propeller of the X3 has a higher rotational speed than the port to counter the torque effect.[8]
Specifications
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This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them. |
Data from FlightGlobal[9] NOTE: No other specifications have been released by Eurocopter.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turboshaft engines, 1,693 kW (2,270 hp) each
- Propellers: 2-bladed five bladed tractor propellers gear driven off main engines.
Performance
- Maximum speed: 430 km/h (267 mph, 232 kn) at 2,500 m (8,202 ft)[10]
- Cruise speed: 407 km/h (253 mph, 220 kn) [1]
- Service ceiling: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)
- Rate of climb: 25 m/s (5,000 ft/min) [10][11]
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ a b "Flight testing of Eurocopter's X3 high-speed hybrid helicopter demonstrator marks a new milestone in the company's innovation roadmap". Eurocopter. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- ^ "Eurocopters Hybridhubschrauber X3 übertrifft sein angestrebtes Geschwindigkeitsziel: 232 Knoten (430 km/h) bei stabilem Horizontalflug" (in German). Presse Box. 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ The X3 concept (video) at 2m50s EuroCopter. Accessed: 7 February 2011.
- ^ Norris, Guy. Eurocopter X-3 Targets U.S. Market Aviation Week, 28 February 2012. Accessed: 1 March 2012.
- ^ "L'Hélicoptère de démonstration X3 atteint les 430km/h !" (in French). Avia News.
- ^ "Le X3 d'Eurocopter a volé à 430 km/h" (in French). Zone Militaire.
- ^ Norris, Guy. Eurocopter Outlines Plans For X4 Program Aviation Week, 14 February 2012. Accessed: 24 March 2012.
- ^ "Eurocopter X3 (X Cubed) Experimental Compound Helicopter". Military Factory.
- ^ John Croft (23 February 2009). "HELI-EXPO 2009: Rolls-Royce confirms role in Eurocopter X3 programme". Flight Global. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
- ^ a b Dubois, Thierry. Eurocopter Launches Dauphin Replacement; Preps for X3 Aviation Today, August 2011. Accessed: 31 March 2012.
- ^ Dubois, Thierry & Huber, Mark. New Rotorcraft 2012 Aviation International, February 2012. Accessed: 31 March 2012.
- ^ a b Green, Ronald D. Flight Plan 2011 - Analysis of the U.S. Aerospace Industry, Rotorcraft Developments p18, U.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade Administration, March 2011. Accessed: 2 March 2012.
External links
- Eurocopter X3 page
- PICTURES: Eurocopter unveils high-speed hybrid helicopter
- Eurocopter unveils new-look helicopter
- Eurocopter High-speed, long-range Hybrid Helicopter H3 Demonstrator Makes First Flight
- Video X3
- Video X3, Cockpit
- Making of
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