Sikorsky X2 Technology Program Relocates to Florida to Prepare for High-Speed Test

barnstorm2

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Sikorsky X2 Technology Program Relocates to Florida to Prepare for High-Speed Test Flights

http://www.verticalmag.com/control/news/templates/?a=11438

11438-1.jpg


Aiming to achieve the highest speed ever recorded for a helicopter, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp's X2 Technology demonstrator has relocated to the company's Florida flight facility as it begins the next phases of testing in the experimental program.

The X2 Technology demonstrator combines an integrated suite of technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate a helicopter can cruise comfortably at 250 knots while retaining such desirable attributes as excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed.

For the past three years, the X2 Technology demonstrator program has been located at the Sikorsky Global Helicopters operation in Horseheads, New York, where the demonstrator achieved first flight last year.

"The move to Sikorsky's West Palm Beach facility signifies a major turning point in this program as we have officially concluded Phase One testing," said Jim Kagdis, Program Manager, Sikorsky Advanced Programs.

"Now we will fully test the integrated system to include the coaxial main rotor dynamic system with pusher propeller, and we'll look to validate the key performance parameters of high speed, low noise, low vibration and low pilot workload. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and the Florida facility will provide ample room and a climate that will serve this program well as it moves toward the 250-knot milestone," Kagdis said.

In 2005, Sikorsky began to commit resources and full funding for X2 Technology program development.

"The program has executed according to plan. With the move to West Palm Beach, we will continue to work with our customers and share with them this exciting, innovative technology to see if we can meet their future commercial or military needs," said Mark Miller, Sikorsky Vice President of Research & Engineering.

Among the innovative technologies the X2 Technology demonstrator employs are:
• Fly-by-wire flight controls
• Counter-rotating rigid rotor blades
• Hub drag reduction
• Active vibration control
• Integrated auxiliary propulsion system

About Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, CT, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, CT, provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
 
Looks to me like the next step toward retiring the Osprey tiltrotor. Something like this could get similar performance to that so-far ill-fated design, with less complexity, less bulk, good autorotation, and cheaper operation.
 
Maybe the people at Sikorsky are members of our Rotary Forum. Many ingredients of the X2 look like being discussed and hatched here!
 
It is no secret that many design engineers from the big aerospace companies attend many different aviation gatherings and symposiums to gather intelligence and ideas. Rest assured, this forum among other aviation forums is also visited by many of the same.

I belong to the Experimental Soaring Association. Every Labor Day weekend at Mountain View Glider Port (L49), in Tehachapi, California is the ESA Western Workshop. During this weekend, there are wonderful lectures given on various experimental sailplane projects, aerodynamics, and on future concepts and ideas. The attendees are made up from practical engineers to senior aerospace engineers and aerodynamicists from government (NASA) and from the big aerospace companies. Last year, Burt Rutan attended in "disguise" (he wore a name tag with "Chuck Yeager" written on it - tongue in cheek of course), however his mutton chops still gave him away. I sat next to Burt and the whole time, he was writing down copious amounts of notes during every lecture. By the way, anyone is invited to attend these lectures. Even though none of have to do with rotorcraft, learning about all aspects of aviation and flight technology will help broaden one's understanding of their own particular aviation interests. Besides, it's alot of fun and one get's to meet a wonderful collection of interesting aviation minded individuals.

Check it out,

Wayne

http://esoaring.com

http://esoaring.com/calendar2009.html
 
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