Photo: zeenews.india.com
Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn a move that would take high speed helicopters to whole new level, Airbus has filed a patent for what they believe could be the world’s fastest helicopter.
The hybrid aircraft is an advanced version of the Airbus’ Eurocopter X3, which is currently under development.
The concept is part of Airbus Helicopters’ (formerly known as Eurocopter) high speed, long-range, hybrid helicopter (H3) initiative.
“The invention relates to a compound helicopter comprising a fuselage, at least one engine and a main rotor driven by at least one engine,” the French company said in a filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Airbus’ Eurocopter X3, which hit 293 mph during a test flight in 2013, is considered as the fastest helicopter in the world.
The patent discloses various unique features of the helicopter, including well-contoured lines from nose to tail. It states that main rotor installed on the top provides lift, whereas wings support a pair of propellers to provide thrust in high-speed forward flight. Power for the helicopters comes from twin engines, such as 2 x Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM322 series engines.
It is said that the patented helicopter can fly at speeds exceeding 293 miles per hour.