The X³ demonstrator is based on the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopter, with the addition of short span wings each fitted with a tractor propeller, having different pitch to counter the torque effect of the main rotor. Eurocopter X3: Tops in Fastest Helicopters List. ... just go and buy a STOL plane. Eurocopter also added that the X3 reached a speed of 263 knots in a dive. Eurocopter achieved the historic 255-knot speed milestone with the X3 flying at an altitude of around 10,000 feet during a 40 minute test flight over southern France near Istres. The Eurocopter X3 hybrid helicopter has opened the frontiers of aviation by attaining a speed milestone of 255 knots (472 km/hr) in level flight on June 7. The X3’s legacy lives on with today’s RACER demonstrator, part of the European Union's Clean Sky 2 research programme. RACER improves upon the X3’s simple, proven formula, marrying higher speed with cost efficiency and fuel savings. In 2011, Airbus Helicopters’ X3 hybrid helicopter demonstrator took to the skies and delivered on the promise of pushing the frontiers in rotary-wing aviation by surpassing its original speed target of 220 kts. Whether it's the internet, nature, video games or AI, he pays particular heed to the flash points with culture, society and the planet. It can attain a maximum speed of … "These flights allow us to further explore the behavior of main rotors at high speeds, and enable us to make effectiveness assessments of the fairing we've added to the main rotor hub – which will be beneficial for drag optimization across Eurocopter's overall product range," he said. Tune in for each episode in this three-part series. Several days before this accomplishment, the X3 reached a speed of 263 knots (487 km/hr) during a descent. The average top speed for a helicopter has typically hovered around 160 mph, but thanks to an addition of two turboprop engines, the Eurocopter X3 has exceeded that by 107 mph, topping out at an impressive 267 mph. X3's 2010 flight above the Camargue region in France. Eurocopter's X3 hybrid helicopter makes aviation history in achieving a speed milestone of 255 knots during level flight Airbus Helicopter June 11, 2013 More Aircraft. A first-flight of the Eurocopter X3 was completed on September 6th, 2010 and, on May 12th, 2011, the X3 undertook a recorded flight with speeds in excess of 267 miles-per-hour. The Eurocopter X3 is projected to be one of the fastest fixed wing helicopters. The fastest military helicopter is the Eurocopter X3. Eurocopter has announced a new pair of speed records set by its hybrid helicopter demonstrator, the X3. Ten years after that first flight, and in anticipation of the future, we sit down with members of the X3 team to hear their stories first-hand, from the demonstrator’s conception and assembly, to its three-year flight test campaign and journey into the public eye. So they are streamlining, this bit and that bit to go a bit faster. Look out for more aviation coverage from the Paris Air Show this week, where Gizmag is in attendance. Jonathan Hubbell, the American technical representative who was hand-picked to accompany the X3 on its US demo tour, shows us how his after-work hobby helped land him the job of a lifetime. However, having amassed more than 140 hours in the air since its maiden flight in September 2010, it's thought that the Eurocopter X3 will retire before the year is out. The second fastest helicopter is from the U.S. arsenal and is the Sikorsky S – 97. The results are still not confirmed, but once they are, the X3 will officialy become the fastest helicopter ever. The X3 demonstrator is equipped with two turboshaft engines that power a five-blade main rotor… The aircraft will offer the efficiency of a turboprop engine and the excellent hover flight capabilities of a helicopter. The helicopter, also one of the fastest helicopters in the world. How does one get selected for such an elite project? Eurocopter developed the H3 concept (High-speed, long-range, Hybrid Helicopter), a new type of aircraft that can perform vertical takeoffs and landings and obtain cruising speeds of approximately 220 kts. On the 10th anniversary of the X3's first flight, let's take a walk back in time  – and then into the future – with Tomasz Krysinski, the head of the X3 programme and today’s Head of Research & Innovation at Airbus Helicopters. The X3 configuration utilises a pair of RTM 322 turboshaft engines to power a five-blade main rotor system with two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings. September 6, 2010: First flight of the demonstrator for the X3, a high-speed hybrid helicopter. "I wouldn't expect it to be able to go much faster, due to the increasing drag inherent in the helicopter configuration". This secrecy also helped create a tightly welded team of exceptional profiles from around the world. By Stephen Pope. Fastest helo ever struts its stuff in Southern France. I agree. Piloted by Hervé Jammayrac, the X3 reached a level flight speed of 255 knots (472 km/h) over the south of France on June 7, eclipsing the 250 knots (463 km/h) set by Sikorsky's X2 demonstrator back in 2010. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our By November 2015, the flight envelope of the prototype had been progressively expanded, having attained a maximum altitude of 15,000 feet (4,600 m) and … And don't miss the other episodes in this series, with X3 test pilot Hervé Jammyrac, and with head of research and innovation, Tomasz Krysinski. The Eurocopter EC155 (now Airbus Helicopters H155) is a long-range medium-lift passenger transport helicopter developed by Eurocopter from its Dauphin family for civil aviation use. This is an… Eurocopter has announced a new pair of speed records set by its hybrid helicopter demonstrator, the X3. Isn't putting extra engines just asking for higher maintenance bills and a greater chance of breaking down? Currently, Eurocopter is focusing on the civil high speed market for medium-weight utility and offshore helicopters, and claims that it can hit the market around 2020. Uh, the Eurocopter X three, and this is a behemoth just broke. Aviation Week reports that the X3 may live on in the form of LifeCraft, a high-speed helicopter proposed by the European Commission due to fly in. Several days before this accomplishment, the X3 reached a speed of 263 knots (487 km/hr) during a descent. We also look at what’s next, with RACER. June 7, 2013: The X3 hybrid helicopter opens the frontiers of aviation by attaining a speed milestone of 255 knots (472 km/hr) in level flight. June 11 The Eurocpter X3 helicopter has recently broken two speed records, the first a speed of 263 knots in a descent and the second a speed of 255 knots in level flight. It also paved the way for the development of today’s RACER demonstrator, which uses the same simple design to marry higher speed with cost efficiency and fuel savings. So we’re in the top 3 now and sitting proudly at 3 is the Sikorsky S-97 Raider. X3: On board the demonstrator with the X3 test pilot, Hervé Jammyrac. This V-22 top speed measurement was achieved at sea level though, so one wonders what altitude the X3 was at, how long 255 knots was sustained for, and how did the X3 behave at this speed? The X3 protoype, … This helicopter lines in the first position of world’s … Eurocopter has begun test flights of the X3 demonstrator for its innovative High-speed, long-range Hybrid Helicopter (H3) concept, which combines excellent vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with fast cruise speeds of more than 220 kts. I wouldn't expect it to be able to go much faster, due to the increasing drag inherent in the helicopter configuration. Latest. Several days before this accomplishment, the X3 reached a speed of 263 knots (487 km/hr) during a descent. It also reached 263 knots (487 km/h) several days beforehand, achieved during a dive rather than level flight. The X3 utilises a Eurocopter Dauphin helicopter airframe equipped with two turboshaft engines that power a five-blade main rotor system and two propellers which are installed on short-span fixed wings. 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