NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Sikorsky Aircraft [UTX] unveiled its X2 TECHNOLOGY Light Tactical Helicopter design Monday at the Army Aviation Association of America annual conference here.
“These technologies can potentially bring new rotorcraft capabilities that, to date, have been unachievable by the industry,” Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino said in a statement. “In addition to doubling the speed of helicopters, this technology can improve hot/high performance, maneuverability and low acoustic signature. Sikorsky’s Light Tactical Helicopter concept demonstrates a way to package these capabilities into an airframe that is tailored to meet a range of military missions.”
The X2 TECHNOLOGY Light Tactical Helicopter multi-mission capabilities will meet both regular Army and special operations future requirements in a variety of combat roles, the company said.
In 2005, Sikorsky announced an initiative to develop an integrated suite of technologies called X2 TECHNOLOGY.
The technology demonstrator aircraft, which achieved first flight in August 2008, is progressing toward the milestone of achieving a 250-knot cruise speed. The project is funded entirely by Sikorsky.
Sikorsky Aircraft has invested in the LTH concept to illustrate its commitment to developing future capabilities that are achievable and affordable, the company said.
X2 TECHNOLOGY is scalable to a variety of military missions including assault, armed reconnaissance, close-air support and combat search and rescue, and unmanned applications.
The X2 TECHNOLOGY demonstrator combines an integrated suite of technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate a helicopter can cruise at 250 knots, while retaining such desirable helicopter attributes as excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering, autorotation safety, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed.
The innovative technologies the X2 TECHNOLOGY demonstrator employs include: fly-by-wire flight controls; counter-rotating rigid rotor blades; hub drag reduction; active vibration control; and an integrated auxiliary propulsion system.