Sikorsky [UTX] last week successfully completed the first flight of its X2 Technology Demonstrator, maneuvering the prototype aircraft through hover, forward flight, and a hover turn, in a test flight that lasted approximately 30 minutes.
Sikorsky Chief Test Pilot Kevin Bredenbeck conducted the test flight at Sikorsky’s Schweizer Aircraft Corp. rapid-prototyping facility in Horseheads, N.Y.
Sikorsky Aircraft has developed X2 Technology alone, without involvement by the armed services or other customers.
“We have, however, discussed the technology and potential applications with the armed services, and they have shown strong interest,” Paul Jackson, a Sikorsky spokesman, told Defense Daily. “We are continuing to have these discussions.”
The program reached the successful first flight milestone after more than four years of design, development and testing of the Demonstrator aircraft’s suite of technologies that are intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter.
“The X2 technologies, while integrated in the demonstrator, can apply separately to other aircraft, Jackson said. “For example, the fly-by-wire system is a big part of the UH- 60M Upgrade Program.” Sikorsky produces the UH-60M Black Hawk, extensively used by the military.
“Today’s achievement is the result of dedicated effort by the entire X2 Technology Demonstrator Program Team” James Kagdis, program manager, Advanced Programs, said in a statement. “It is proof of the complete commitment by Sikorsky Aircraft to this program and to the exploration of innovation in aviation. We look forward to expanding the flight envelope for this Demonstrator and will continue to conduct market analysis to determine the next steps for this important program.”
The X2 Technology Demonstrator is designed to establish that a helicopter can cruise comfortably at 250 knots, while retaining such desirable helicopter attributes as excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering, and safe autorotation, combined with a seamless and simple transition to high speed.
Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino said the successful first flight attests to the company’s commitment to excellence and to industry-leading innovation.
“X2 Technology has crossed a major threshold,” Pino said. “The team’s achievement sets the stage for the next series of tests eventually leading to maximum speed. It also sparks the imagination for what ultimately the technology can mean to the future of the rotorcraft industry. We are far from having a product, but closer than ever to realizing the potential.”
Among the innovative technologies the X2 Technology Demonstrator employs are:
- Fly-by-wire flight controls;
- Counter-rotating, all-composite rigid rotor blades;
- Hub drag reduction;
- Active vibration control; and
- Integrated auxiliary propulsion system.
In June 2005, Sikorsky first announced the initiative to develop an integrated suite of technologies called X2 Technology.
Key suppliers for the X2 Technology Demonstrator are:
- Eagle Aviation Technologies Inc.: Main rotor blades, miscellaneous composite hardware;
- Goodrich Corp. [GR]: SmartProbe(TM) air data system and engineering support;
- Hamilton Sundstrand [UTX].: Flight Control Computers, active vibration control, engineering support;
- Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Co. (LHTEC), a partnership between Rolls-Royce/Honeywell [HON]: working on engines and engineering support; and
- Moog [MOG.A]: active vibration actuation, consignment MU/EU components, and engineering support.