Announcing The New High Speed Airbus!
At the Paris Air Show, the brand new, high speed and cost efficient rotorcraft was revealed to public. This Airbus helicopter model demonstrated a new project which is part of the Clean Sky 2 European research program.
“Today we unveil our bold vision for the future of high-speed rotorcraft,” Guillaume Faury said in a press release who is Airbus Helicopters CEO. “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.”
There are high hopes for the Airbus; it is anticipated to be “the best trade-off between speed, cost-efficiency, sustainability and mission performance.” The cruise speed of approximately 248 mph which definitely served as the influence to name the machine: Racer.
This model was a step up from its predecessor the X3, this project is set to make a global progression in air travel. As well as being an airbus, the scope of usability is being planned for emergency medical services and search and rescue operations, as well as for public services, commercial air transport and private and business aviation.”
The RTM322 engines are the main driving force for the lateral rotors. The lateral rotors “will provide lift in cruise mode while isolating passengers during ground operations from the ‘pusher’ lateral rotors designed to generate thrust in forward flight.”
The Racer will have a metallic composite airframe hybrid which has a low cost and is responsible for the low weight in the airbus. The “box-wing” design in was given is optimal for its efficiency.
The Paris Air Show 2017 provided the Airbus Company with over $35 billion funding and business connections. The first real Airbus is due to be completed in 2019 which several tests conducted within a year.