Posted on 06/01/2005 4:05:59 PM PDT by Righty_McRight
WASHINGTON - Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced plans Wednesday to build a high-tech helicopter that, propelled by a new rotor system, would be much faster than conventional models.
The helicopter, which will also use technologies developed for the military's now-cancelled Comanche program, is being designed and built by Sikorsky and its New York subsidiary, Schweizer Aircraft. Sikorsky is owned by Hartford, Conn.-based United Technologies Corp.
In a conference call, officials from Sikorsky and Schweizer said the helicopter would be able to cruise at more than 250 knots, about 100 knots faster than helicopters in service today. Work on the prototype would add about 30 jobs at Schweizer's Elmira, N.Y., facility, but not affect employment at Sikorsky's Stratford, Conn., plant.
"Customers are demanding greater speed, but without sacrificing any of the unique capabilities that make helicopters the ideal platform for countless civil and military missions," said Sikorsky President Stephen Finger.
The announcement comes as Sikorsky struggles to recover from two devastating decisions by the Pentagon — the cancellation of the Comanche development program and the loss of the presidential helicopter contract to rival Lockheed Martin of Maryland. The Pentagon has increased its orders for Sikorsky Army and Navy Hawk helicopters, prompting the company to add about 150 jobs.
The first testing flight for the new helicopter could take place by the end of the year, while the first full prototype to fly could be by the end of next year, the companies said.
The new rotor system, which features vertically stacked rotors spinning in opposite directions, will allow the helicopter to fly faster without hurting its ability to hover and maneuver.
Shares of United Technologies rose 79 cents, or 0.7 percent, to close at $107.49 in trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Nice looking bird....
Sounds like it has lots of promise too me.
And maybe there will be a new computer game too. I loved Comanche.
This is a coaxial compound helicopter.
It will be interesting to see if modern composites will allow it to be cost competative with traditional chopper lay outs.
The USMC would want a gunship version if it could keep up with a V-22.
Who knows, the V-22 may collapse and a USMC troop ship version of this bird may come to pass.
Seems more to me like it's going to need push instead of rotor tilt, and be an airplane to some degree in fast flight.
I wonder how its speed and payload lift capability is compared to the V-22 Osprey? Osprey is a lot complicated because it uses a pair of tilt rotors which lifts like a helicopter, but the engines rotate on the wing and eventually flies like a prop plane. Advantage is its horizotal speed. I wonder if this new helicopter design is alot simplier mechanically and computer software wise?
I think some type of improved helicopter is bound to replace the V-22. It is just too complex and expensive.
So9
Sikorsky already built a helicopter like this in the 60's or 70'. It was called the ABC for Advancing Blade Concept. At high airspeeds the retreating blade loses lift with a single rotor. Twin counter rotating rotors eliminates this problem.
I saw the ABC fly at several airshows when I was a kid. Way cool memories. I'll see if I can find some pics.
subsidiary, Schweizer Aircraft....didn't Schweizer build the Ag-Cat crop duster..................?
This is one chopper that will never get off the ground- it isn't ugly enough to be repelled by the earth.
Faster??? Why not buy the Osprey or do they also believe that turkey will never fly.
I hope the Pentagon will reconsider its plan to take Marine One away from Sikorsky and give it to a consortium of foreign manufacturers.
Actually, it looks like one of several Kamov designs. Igor, call your lawyer!
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