Rotorcraft
Eurocopter X3 reaches 180 knots, on course for higher speeds
Eurocopter’s compound helicopter demonstrator, the X3 (“X cube”), met its first speed target on November 29 when it achieved 180 ktas in level flight at “r

Eurocopter’s compound helicopter demonstrator, the X3 (“X cube”), met its first speed target on November 29 when it achieved 180 ktas in level flight at “reduced engine power.” The modified Dauphin has also expanded its flight envelope in altitude and bank angles. The X3 features a conventional main rotor and two propellers on stub wings.

Flying from Istres, southern France, the aircraft has reached 12,500 feet and has performed maneuvers with left and right turns and bank angles of “up to 60 degrees.” Eurocopter said the flight envelope has been opened “with and without autopilot to validate stability and handling characteristics.”

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