Rotorcraft
Airbus Celebrates First Flight of Racer Compound Helo
The high-speed helicopter's design has already generated 90 patents
Airbus Helicopters Racer high-speed helicopter
© Airbus Helicopters

The Airbus Helicopters Racer high-speed compound helicopter made its first flight today in Marignane, France, flying for about 30 minutes and signaling the launch of a two-year test campaign.

Powered by two Safran Aneto-1X turboshaft engines, Racer is designed to fly at more than 215 knots while burning about 20% less fuel compared with current-generation helicopters. Racer is part of the European Clean Sky 2 research program and involves 40 partners in 13 countries.