Future of chopper technology at India's doorsteps

arnabmit

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Future of chopper technology at India's doorsteps :: DNA

The Indian Navy may stand a good chance of boosting its helicopter fleets, what with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (SAC) having received a request for information (RFIs) from it for buying and developing 123 multi-role helicopters.

Sikorsky is also working on a futuristic helicopter, the technology demonstrator of which —called X-2—has recorded 250 knots in airspeed as against 160-180 knots recorded among conventional helicopters.

The company has indicated that India will stand in good stead doing business with it to gain the latest in helicopter technology enhancement in future.

Air Marshal (retd) AVM Walia, regional executive (India & South Asia region), SAC, said on Thursday at the second day of Aero India 2013 that the Indian Navy was looking for 123 multi-role helicopters. It is especially looking for one of two varieties of helicopters—the MH-60R or the MH-60H. "The RFI has been responded to and we are now waiting for a request for proposal so that we can take the matter forward," he said.

The SAC has also received RFIs from the Indian Coast Guard for 14 shore-based helicopters and 16 ship-borne ones, for which the company is waiting for RFPs.

But while Walia and SAC president, Mick Maurer, provided details about doing business with Indian defence and civilian companies, what could not be missed was their presentation made on the X-2 technology helicopter, the future of helicopter that flies with double-tilt rotors for enhanced lift.

Having achieved its goal of flying the X2 Technology demonstrator helicopter at more than 250 knots (287 mph), Sikorsky will design, build and fly two more X2 Technology aircraft, and offer one of the aircraft to the US military for flight test and evaluation. Both prototypes will become the first of an all-new light tactical helicopter category—the Sikorsky S-97—and will carry the designation "S-97 Raider" helicopter.

The SAC is developing two prototypes for the US military, which is scheduled to carry out the first test flight of the Sikorsky S-97 in late 2014.

Breakthrough

The Sikorsky X-2 helicopter, which features increased speed with manoeuverability and agility, incorporates several new technologies and has successfully demonstrated them in a flight environment.

These technologies include an integrated fly-by-wire system that allows the engine/rotor/propulsor system to operate efficiently, with full control of rotor rpm (rotations per minute) throughout the flight high lift-to-drag rigid blades, low-drag hub fairings, and active vibration control at such high speeds.

In addition, the aircraft was used as a 'flying wind tunnel' to determine the main rotor to propulsor aerodynamic interaction, shaft angle optimisation for performance, and blade tip clearance for a range of manoeuvers. This will allow optimisation of the X2 Technology suite for future products.

The SAC's website says about this future of helicopters: "Historically, vertical flight has required a compromise between hover performance and forward speed...With X2 Technology, Sikorsky is focused on providing increased speed over conventional rotorcraft designs without compromising the essential attributes that make helicopters valuable."

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Old news, don't know if posted earlier... But I am happy that India has option for X2 based rotorcraft. :cool2:
 

Armand2REP

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Not only old news, but waste of breath. X-2 experiences so much cavitation they don't even know how to fix it. Now the X3 is a ride as smooth as glass. :wave:
 

arnabmit

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Then why did US choose Sikorsky over Eurocopter? X3 is just an excuse of a high speed helo, whereas X2 is a reality. Not to mention X3 is 20n slower.

No cavitation reported anywhere. I think you must be confusing with the previous generation attempts.

Not only old news, but waste of breath. X-2 experiences so much cavitation they don't even know how to fix it. Now the X3 is a ride as smooth as glass. :wave:
 
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Armand2REP

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Then why did US choose Sikorsky over Eurocopter? X3 is just an excuse of a high speed helo, whereas X2 is a reality. Not to mention X3 is 20n slower.

No cavitation reported anywhere. I think you must be confusing with the previous generation attempts.
They didn't choose Sikorsky over Eurocopter. X3 is a high speed transport while X2 is a high speed scout requirement. X2 is no reality when they retired it after 11hrs of flight . X3 has demo around the world logging 500hrs.

As far as reverb... watch the pilot shake, it is no smooth ride.

 
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asianobserve

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X-2 was only a tech demonstrator. The next development is the S-97 Raider, which is already under development.

(Mock-up)


The X-3 is also only an experimental helicopter. But I think if somebody orders it it can already be produced in the current Frankenstein configuration. But the biggest disadvantage of the X-3 I think are those tractor propellers. They make engress and egress from the chopper a very risky business.



The X-97 helo on the other hand do not have propellers close to the doors as the pusher propeller is at the rear.

(Mock-up)
 

indian_sukhoi

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Seems they didnt opted for Internal weapons bay requirment like the Commanche. The only problem is the Cost of operating these new weapons risen up.


Anyways, The Lockheed XH-51 was the fastest helicopter ever.
 

arnabmit

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XH-51 is 151n where as X3 is 230n and X2 257n.

Seems they didnt opted for Internal weapons bay requirment like the Commanche. The only problem is the Cost of operating these new weapons risen up.


Anyways, The Lockheed XH-51 was the fastest helicopter ever.
 

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