Sikorsky’s X2 Holds Promise

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Big Flats, NY - Schweizer Aircraft is best known for being leader in aviation. It began as a glider manufacturer and has evolved to being one of the world's finest manufacturers of piston and turbine helicopters, manned and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), surveillance aircraft and aerospace subcontracting, the company has earned a reputation for world class design, manufacturing and innovation. In 2004, it joined with Sikorsky Aircraft, putting them in the unique position to continue their drive for aviation excellence.

On August 27, 2008, Sikorsky Aircraft Co. successfully completed the first flight of its X2 TECHNOLOGY™ Demonstrator in a four-phase testing program at the Schweizer facility. In this phase, they will take the helicopter from a hover out to a forward speed of about 40 knots -- 46 mph. Once that phase is completed, the X2 helicopter will be disassembled and shipped to Sikorsky's West Palm Beach, Fla., flight test facility for three more phases of testing. By the end of phase four, they will have reached the 250-knot cruising speed.

Two more tests are planned for this month. One of those tests will be for a group of representatives from the U.S. government. The hope is that with the continued testing, their project will lure potential buyers, especially since the aircraft will be able to cruise at 288 mph (250 knots), as well as being capable of landing vertically and rapid take-offs. (Typical helicopters cruise at about 125 knots or 144 mph.)

"For those time-critical missions where speed is important, we think the X2 will be very attractive to civilian or military operators," James Kagdis, Sikorsky's program manager for advanced programs said from his Connecticut office.

Currently, they are working on the hover flight technology, and have plans to work on a retractable landing gear system, high speed propeller integration and changing some of the software that controls the fly-by-wire control system.

In 2005, Sikorsky laid out plans to build the newly designed coaxial helicopter, which is powered by Sikorsky's X2 technology -- actually five interrelated technologies combined into one package.

In coaxial helicopters, there are two main rotors which spin in opposite directions. This boosts the speed and lift. As well, the rotor blades are made stiffer than traditional blades which helps with maneuverability.

In the new design, the vertical tail rotor is moved to a position similar to a submarine's propellers, where it can increase the aircraft's forward propulsion. The X2 technology also includes vibration control and a fly-by-wire control system along with the dual rotor system. That combination is the key to the aircraft's capabilities, said Steven Weiner, the project's chief engineer in Connecticut.

The X2 had an earlier version that was developed in the 1970s, but at the time, there wasn't enough technology in place to build it. Since then, Sikorsky decided to take a look at the plans again and was able to move ahead with it.

The reason that Schweizer was chosen to build the demonstrator model was because Schweizer was known for its skilled workers as well as their long history subcontracting to Sikorsky. Schweitzer engineers handled the dynamic and airframe design work. The helicopter was all built on-site.

As the testing continues, market assessments will be done, as well as getting together with potential buyers to discover their particular needs. Test results together with customer specifics will determine whether they launch production, which may not happen for another 10 years.

"Oil companies are excited because as they move their platform rigs farther and farther off-shore, they can get there quicker (with the X2) and still land vertically on a pad," Stephen Chisarik, the X2 program's project manager said. "As the military moves forward, its foresees the X2 as an armed gunship escort for the V-22 Osprey, the world's first production tilt-rotor aircraft, which is in service now."