Three-Rotor Copters Set to Change Civilian, Military Helicopter Designs Forever

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/three-rotor-copters-set-change-civilian-military-helicopter-140054298.html ^ | 2-9-14 | George Kennedy

[rawhide]

Cool!

[rawhide]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLKPQxGiQhQ

[KoRn]

I’ve always wanted to own and fly my own helicopter. They tend to be VERY expensive though.

[Paleo Conservative]

Counter rotating dual rotor helicopters date back to the 1930’s and 40’s. It looks like this design is intended to compete against the V-22 Osprey for speed. I wonder what the range is. Could these be a good option for servicing offshore oil platforms?

[ansel12]

There sure are a lot of white males in the stands.

[Joe Boucher]

Looks like the test was done at their North Palm facility along Beeline Highway. NOTAM area but fun to watch what is flying around this area.

[Fred Hayek]

Looks like a variation of a Kamov product, plus the tail rotor for forward propulsion.

[bigbob]

even makes a kickass sound!

[eartrumpet]

Kinda like a NASCAR, F1, bandsaw mill combination.

[Popman]

Pretty cool, but when are they bringing out the green eco-friendly electric version. ?

I know, I know, don't give Obama any ideas to toss a few billions away...

[Popman]

The prop at the aft of the X2 is mostly for propulsion, allowing is to hit speeds of 250 knots (290 mph)

With that type of speed I wonder what the range is on this beast ?

I'm sure it takes a much larger engine to push the torque needed to turn two rotors...

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

It’s a technology demonstrator at this point and not necessarily viable as an operational concept. Scaling up to an operational design would be as huge a challenge as was the steps from the XV-15 to the V-22. Success is possible but not guaranteed. For example, what about external sling loads that are as a practical metter restricted to 150 kts. And there is the question of how many troops could a full-scale aircraft carry?

TC

[Hardastarboard]

Random remark, but I sure do wish we could stop measuring air speed in “knots”. Every time I hear that, I feel like I’m reaching for a Whitworth wrench to work on an MG, or standing on the deck of a sailing ship next to Admiral Nelson. Talk about archaic.

[Organic Panic]

www.zee.aero

The only problem is private silicon valley types are financing this project. I’m sure Obama will get a few billion to them one of these days.

Don’t expect to see these on the road anytime soon. The concept of a flying car will never be a financially viable project. Especially the ZEE which is electric.

[FAA]

Yeah, it’s certainly not what you normally expect to hear from a helicopter passing overhead.

[rawhide]

Top speed: 299 mph (481 km/h)
Range: 808 miles (1,300 km)

[JoeFromSidney]

Since the lower rotor is in the downwash from the upper rotor, I wonder how much lift it actually generates. Remember, the Osprey had trouble descending in its own downwash. However, the counter-rotation does cancel out the torque of the two rotors.

Then there's that line from the old song Give Me Operations, "Don't give me a P-38, the props they counter-rotate..."

[dalereed]

Keep knots youu landlubber, we don’t need your kind of jerk flying aircraft!

[MHGinTN]

Yeah, but leave it to us hillbillies to have a flying tree trimmer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW2UvW6xLP8

[Amendment10]

Thank you for mentioning the Osprey. When I saw the three-rotor copter video I wondered about the future of the Osprey.