The Eurocopter X3 hybrid aircraft, completing its trans-Atlantic crossing from France’s Istres Flight Test Center, has arrived in the US to demonstrate its operational capabilities for both civil and military operators.
The hybrid aircraft, transported aboard a chartered cargo jetliner, will begin its official US tour, taking in five locations, on 20 June.
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Eurocopter president and CEO Lutz Bertling said: "After our highly successful flight trials in Europe, the US tour will underscore the maturity of Eurocopter’s answer for applications where mission success depends on short flight duration through maximum cruise speed at reasonable operational costs."
The X3 demonstrator, equipped with two turboshaft engines powering a five-blade main rotor system and two propellers positioned on short-span fixed wings, is expected to perform long-distance search and rescue (SAR), coast guard duties, border patrol missions, passenger transport, offshore airlifts and inter-city shuttle services.
The hybrid helicopter’s blend of high cruise speeds with enhanced vertical takeoff/landing performance allow its deployment for military missions in Special Forces operations, troop transport, combat SAR and medical evacuation.
Eurocopter said that the hybrid demonstrator incorporates flight potential of a helicopter, with the cruise speeds of a turboprop-powered airliner.
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By GlobalDataDuring its testing in France, the demonstrator achieved a speed target of about 230k, while using less than 80% of the available power.
The hybrid configuration, which was developed from concept to first flight in about three years, performed its first airborne test in September 2010 and resumed flights in March 2011, following an upgrade to incorporate the enhanced gearboxes to perform operations at full power.
Image: Eurocopter X3 hybrid aircraft incorporates flight potential of a helicopter with cruise speeds of a turboprop aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Eurocopter.
