Airbus RACER
RACER | |
---|---|
RACER model at Paris Air Show 2017 | |
Role | Experimental compound helicopter |
National origin | Multinational |
Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters |
First flight | 25 April 2024[1] |
Developed from | Eurocopter X³ |
The Airbus RACER (Rapid and Cost-Effective Rotorcraft) is an experimental high-speed compound helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters from the Eurocopter X³. Revealed at the June 2017
Development
On 20 June 2017 at the
By October 2018, design of key subsystems was completed before the first components started manufacturing with long-lead items, as the lateral drive shaft production began. GE's
The flight demonstration should expand the flight envelope and assess performance, before demonstrating missions like
It made its first flight on 25 April 2024 in Marignane.[1]
Design
Optimised for a cruise over 400 km/h (216 kn), 50% faster than a conventional helicopter, it will consume 15% less fuel per distance at 180 kn (333 km/h) than a helicopter at 130 kn (241 km/h), and aim for a 25% cost reduction per distance. The lateral
See also
- Fairey Rotodyne
- Sikorsky S-97
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Kamov Ka-92
- Piasecki X-49
- Sikorsky X2
Related lists
References
- ^ a b "Airbus Helicopters' Racer is off to a flying start" (Press release). Airbus Helicopters. 25 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Airbus Helicopters reveals Racer high-speed demonstrator configuration" (Press release). Airbus. 20 June 2017.
- ^ a b c "Racer high-speed demonstrator passes preliminary design review milestone" (Press release). Airbus. 16 October 2018.
- ^ Thierry Dubois (February 27, 2018). "Airbus picks Safran's Aneto engine for Racer compound demonstrator". Vertical magazine.
- ^ Dominic Perry (24 April 2020). "Despite delays, high-speed Racer begins to take shape for Airbus Helicopters". Flightglobal.
- ^ Dominic Perry (14 April 2021). "Airbus ready to accelerate Racer after 2020's false start". Flightglobal.
- ^ Dominic Perry (23 March 2023). "Avio Aero gears up to deliver final missing component to Airbus Racer project". Flightglobal.
- ^ Flight Global.