Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator takes-off for first time

Filed under: Autos | By: Daniel
Posted on: August 28, 2008 | No Comments

This is the Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator, it’s a futuristic helicopter that’s not completely ready yet, but today it had its first flight. The single-engined fly-by-wire aircraft was in the air for around 30 minutes.

While the X2 Demonstrator was airborne it demonstrated a hover turn, forward flight and hover. The helicopter features a pusher propeller and coaxial rotors, Sikorsky said that they believe the X2 will revolutionize the helicopter world.

Current helicopters have cruise speeds of around 150 kts and a Westland Lynx holds the helicopter world speed record at 216.45 kts. The Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator will have cruise speeds of around to 250 kts.

To find out more about Sikorsky’s X2 and why current helicopters are limited by rotor aerodynamics, hit the read link below.