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X2 TECHNOLOGY(TM) Demonstrator Approaches First Flight

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

July 17, 2008

thomas

FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW, England, July 16 /PRNewswire/ —
After three years in development and experimental testing, the first flight
of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s X2 TECHNOLOGY(TM) Demonstrator is “within
reach,” James Kagdis, Program Manager, Advanced Programs, said today at the
Farnborough International Air Show. Sikorsky, based in Stratford, Conn.,
USA, is a business unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The X2 TECHNOLOGY Demonstrator has accomplished more than 14 hours of
ground run testing and is progressing toward first flight.

“The Demonstrator has completed Phase 2 of ground run testing with
blades on, and is in final build-up for first flight,” Kagdis said.
“Customer feedback since tells us that X2 TECHNOLOGY has the potential to
be applied to a broad range of missions. We are excited at the prospects of
transforming vertical flight through this innovative technology.”

Sikorsky’s Schweizer Aircraft Corp. rapid-prototyping facility in
Horseheads, N.Y., is preparing the X2 TECHNOLOGY Demonstrator for its first
flight.

The X2 TECHNOLOGY Demonstrator combines an integrated suite of
technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating
coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate a helicopter can
cruise comfortably at 250 knots, while retaining such desirable helicopter
attributes as excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering and
autorotation safety, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed.

Among the innovative technologies the X2 TECHNOLOGY Demonstrator
employs are:

— Fly-by-wire flight controls
— Counter-rotating rigid rotor blades
— Hub drag reduction
— Active vibration control
— Integrated auxiliary propulsion system

Sikorsky Aircraft first announced the initiative to develop an
integrated suite of technologies called X2 TECHNOLOGY in June 2005. The
project is funded solely by Sikorsky.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world
leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. The company’s long
commitment to safety and innovation is reflected in its mission statement:
“We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere … every
time(TM).” United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA,
provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to
the aerospace and building systems industries.

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