Sikorsky X2 Technology™ Demonstrator--Ludicrous Speed...No It's Gone Plaid!

摘要

The Sikorsky X2 Technology™ Demonstrator is a rigid coaxial rotor helicopter with a pusher propeller which recently completed a flight test program achieving all key performance parameters. The X2 Technology™ Demonstrator was conceived to capitalize on the advances in technology over the past several decades in order to refine Sikorsky Advancing Blade Concept (ABC™) technology. Advances in technology over the past 30 years facilitated engineering solutions for challenges present in the original ABC™ (Ref 1 & 2). In essence the ABC relies on the lift produced on the advancing blade and balances roll moment with the other rotor thereby negating the effects of retreating blade stall in order to increase speed potential. The X2 flew in excess of 250 knots true airspeed in level flight during flight seventeen on Sept 15 2010, an unofficial speed record for a helicopter. This paper will provide a flight by flight anthology highlighting flight test lessons learned and challenges from first flight through fliqht seventeen.