Sikorsky’s X2 Demonstrator First Flight

Eagle Aviation Technologies, Inc.: Main rotor blades, miscellaneous composite hardware Goodrich Corporation: SmartProbe air data system and engineering support Hamilton Sundstrand Corp.: Flight Control Computers, Active vibration control, engineering support LHTEC (Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company, a partnership between Rolls-Royce/Honeywell): Engines, engineering support Moog, Inc.: Active vibration actuation, Consignment MU/EU components, engineering support

Announced in June 2005 at the AHS Forum, Sikorsky began developing the X2 TECHNOLOGY™, Demonstrator intended to advance the state-of-the-art of counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopters. In its high speed configuration, X2 TECHNOLOGY takes advantage of the full potential lift of a rigid coaxial rotor and auxiliary propulsion to enable a helicopter to cruise comfortably at 250 knots.

This means the full spectrum of performance desired in a helicopter can be achieved -- excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering and autorotation safety combined with seamless and simple transition to high speed and excellent maneuverability. In its conventional helicopter speed configuration, X2 TECHNOLOGY™ provides improved lift through the efficiency of its coaxial rotor, eliminating the need for a tail rotor.

To demonstrate the viability of X2 TECHNOLOGY™, Sikorsky has built an X2 TECHNOLOGY™ Demonstrator with its subsidiary, Schweizer Aircraft in Elmira, N.Y. This aircraft is designed to demonstrate 250 knots cruise capability in a helicopter.

X2 TECHNOLOGY aircraft will hover, land vertically, maneuver at low speeds, and transition seamlessly from hover to forward flight like a helicopter. In a high speed configuration, a “pusher prop” is part of an integrated auxiliary propulsion system to enable high speeds with no need to physically reconfigure the aircraft in flight.

Sikorsky’s X2 TECHNOLOGY™ Demonstrator has made steady and significant progress since its announcement in June 2005. In November 2005, a surrogate helicopter equipped with the new X2 TECHNOLOGY™ fly-by-wire system made its first flight. The Schweizer 333 helicopter performed flawlessly while demonstrating basic capabilities of the fly-by-wire system. In November 2006, ground tests of the X2 TECHNOLOGY Demonstrator aircraft began with its LHTEC T800 engine and drivetrain components.

In May 2008 the program successfully ground tested the aircraft with rotor blades installed and spinning for the first time. On Aug. 27, 2008, the program achieved first flight in a test conducted by Chief Pilot Kevin Bredenbeck at the Schweizer facility.

A dedicated team of highly experienced aviation professionals worked on and contributed to the X2 TECHNOLOGY™ Demonstrator development, design and build.

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