The
Sikorsky X2 has just successfully finished its first 30 minute test flight
on Wednesday which was scheduled to take place two years ago. The X2, which is
designed to cruise at 250kts, now enters a four-phase series of flight tests.
This first 30-minute flight showed that the thing doesn't fall out of the sky,
but it won't be streaking through the wild blue yonder at 288mph until its
fourth test flight.
The flight tests will support a decision expected in 2010 on whether to
launch the X2 as a new civil aircraft. The X2 demonstrator is powered by the
Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Co. (LHTEC) T800 engine, which was developed to
support the cancelled Sikorsky/Boeing RAH-66 Comanche. The issues surrounding
coaxial rotor designs are related to its bad reputation of high vibrations which
engineers are working on solving with the X2.
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