[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?

[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!

[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...

[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.

[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..."

[MHGinTN]

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

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

[Skywise]

Bah!
Airwolf did it first!

[steve86]

This is a coaxial copter with a tail rotor for thrust, not yaw control.

[The Working Man]

Similar in concept to the AH-56 Cheyenne.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AH-56_Cheyenne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lockheed_AH-56_Cheyenne.jpg

The Cheyenne had a single main rotor as well as a standard rear stabilizing rotor. unlike this concept which utilizes counter-rotating rotors.

[Southack]

Adding complexity to a helicopter is not my idea...

[Jack of all Trades]

I saw the S-69 make a high speed pass over the Housatonic River at a Sikorsky open house back in the 70’s. Really glad this thing has come back to life.