Helicopters: Hybrid makes speedy entrance in new class (FT.com)

Release Date: 2011-06-21

Eurocopter’s X3 experimental hybrid, which will be seen flying by the public for the first time at this week’s Paris air show, is intended to have all the benefits of a helicopter while breaching the speed limits inherent in conventional rotary wing aircraft.

Lutz Bertling, president and chief executive of Eurocopter: “If we can increase cruise speed by 50 per cent but limit acquisition and utilisation costs to 20-25 per cent over conventional helicopters then that will yield high productivity gains”.

The X3 is Eurocopter’s solution to the fact that helicopters, while manoeuvrable, are not capable of reaching the speeds of most aircraft. The aerodynamic phenomenon called retreating blade stall limits rotary wing aircraft speed to about 175 knots normally (see accompanying article), though a Westland Lynx with purpose-build rotor blades holds the ultimate speed record at 217.5 kts.

“We’re targeting any kind of mission where speed is of the essence,” says Jean-Michel Billig, Eurocopter's executive vice-president of research and development.

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