Sikorsky Tests X2, World’s Fastest Helicopter

August 29th, 2008 by BallerRide No Comments

sikorsky x2

Come 2010 you may have a faster private chopper option. After nearly two years years of delays in launching the X2, aimed to be the world’s fastest helicopter, Sikorsky completed its first successful test flight with the 288 mph aircraft this Wednesday at the Scheizer Aircraft testing facility in New York.

During the 30 minute flight, the Sikorsky crew proved that the X2 could stay airborn but came far from pushing the X2’s top cruising speed of 250kt (288 mph), which will make the X2 the world’s fastest helicopter if reached.

Powering the twin-propeller X2 is a Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Co. (LHTEC) T800 engine, developed to support the cancelled Sikorsky/Boeing RAH-66 Comanche. On the X2, fly-by-wire controls and avionics have been installed to counter high vibration levels, which ultimately caused Sikorsky’s 1970s-era XH-59A concept (the inspiration for the X2) to fail.

Sikorsky will complete four more phases of testing before it plans to release the X2 to the civilian and military markets in 2010.

[via Dvice, Flightglobal, PointNiner]

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