Airbus Helicopters unveiled at the Paris Air Show this week the aerodynamic design of a high-speed rotorcraft demonstrator currently under development.
Codenamed Racer, for Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft, the project is part of the Clean Sky 2 European research programme. It is thought the aircraft will achieve a cruise speed of over 215 knots.
“Today we unveil our bold vision for the future of high-speed rotorcraft,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Faury at the unveiling. “This new project, pulling together the skills and know-how of dozens of European partners through the Clean Sky 2 initiative, aims to bring increased speed and range at the right cost, thanks to a simple, safe and proven aerodynamic formula.
"It will pave the way for new time-sensitive services for 2030 and beyond, setting new benchmarks for high-speed helicopter transportation.”
Airbus Helicopters says the Racer demonstrator will be built around a simple design that ensures safety and cost-efficiency. The box-wing design will provide lift in cruise mode while isolating passengers during ground operations from the pusher propellers designed to generate thrust in forward flight.
The Racer demonstrator will use two Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM322 turbo-shaft engines to power both the main rotor and the propellers (termed "lateral rotors" by Airbus). The airframe will be built from a hybrid metallic-composite material specifically designed for low weight and low maintenance costs.
Final assembly of the demonstrator is expected to start in 2019, with the first flight planned for the following year.