EADS Shows Off New Hybrid Chopper

[Curt James]

EADS Shows Off New Hybrid Chopper - YouTube

The X3 (pronounced X-cubed) - a long-range, hybrid helicopter - made its debut in the Washington area on Monday. American Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS, says the technology can be used on both large and small aircraft. (July 23)

 

[maniclion]

An Osprey without the need to rotate the blades ....


I'd like to see a helicopter use the Dyson Bladeless fan effect for the tail rotor...

 

[Curt James]

An Osprey without the need to rotate the blades ....


I'd like to see a helicopter use the Dyson Bladeless fan effect for the tail rotor...

Dyson Fan | Geeky Gadgets

Dyson's Bladeless Fan Air Multiplier - YouTube

 

[Watson]

they work well, not cheap though

 

[Big Pimpin]

Other than VIP transport, what's the point I wonder? With the outboard rotors setup like that, they would have to be shut down in order to exit the bird and the way that particular helo is setup, you really couldn't arm it with anything other than on a front/nose mounted canon.

 

[Curt James]

Other than VIP transport, what's the point I wonder? With the outboard rotors setup like that, they would have to be shut down in order to exit the bird and the way that particular helo is setup, you really couldn't arm it with anything other than on a front/nose mounted canon.

Speed?

Eurocopter X3 in the running to beat Sikorsky's X2 Helicopter as the Fastest Chopper

In November, Sikorsky's experimental X2 helicopter had been crowned as the fastest helicopter after clocking an amazing speed of 260 knots or 299mph in the demonstrator model. But Sikorsky's crown might just be taken over by Eurocopter. They have created their own futuristic helicopter, the X3 hybrid that has a deadly combo of turboprop tech with a traditional rotor. This new chopper attained airspeed of 180 knots (333 km/h) in level flight in testing in Istres, France.

Now would say that it is almost 80 knots away from the actual record. But the thing is that the chopper was not operating at full operating engine power, so one can say that it has the potential to reach the numero uno mark if it flies at full blast. Eurocopter is proceeding step by step and in their next testing stage, they hope to attain 220 knots, taking it above the pre-X2 record. The X3 chopper has already reached an altitude of 12,500 ft. (3,810 m) and maneuvering with left and right turns at bank angles of almost 60?.

It has a Dauphin helicopter airframe that is equipped with two Rolls Royce turboshaft engines, a five blade rotor system, and two propellers wired to short span fixed wings. Impressive, but future tests will show whether it can match X2's pair of coaxial rotor systems and rear propeller.

From http://trendsupdates.com/eurocopter...orsky’s-x2-helicopter-as-the-fastest-chopper/

 

[LAM]

Other than VIP transport, what's the point I wonder? With the outboard rotors setup like that, they would have to be shut down in order to exit the bird and the way that particular helo is setup, you really couldn't arm it with anything other than on a front/nose mounted canon.

faster and safer. if the main rotor goes the pilot doesn't have to worry about altitude and auto-rotate safely to the ground they can increase the thrust to the outboard rotors to provide lift. the outboard rotors are mainly used to provide thrust at cruising speeds.

 

[secdrl]

An Osprey without the need to rotate the blades ....


I'd like to see a helicopter use the Dyson Bladeless fan effect for the tail rotor...

It would probably be just as expensive, too.

 

[maniclion]

Other than VIP transport, what's the point I wonder? With the outboard rotors setup like that, they would have to be shut down in order to exit the bird and the way that particular helo is setup, you really couldn't arm it with anything other than on a front/nose mounted canon.

If they extend it and install a ramp they could do rear exits like a Chinook.