The Eurocopter X³ - Turboprop speeds in a Helicopter

The Eurocopter X³ is based on the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopter, with the addition of short span wings each fitted with a tractor propeller, having different pitch to counter the torque effect of the main rotor. Conventional helicopters use tail rotors to counter the torque effect. The tractor propellers are gear driven from the two main turboshaft engines which also drive the five-bladed main rotor system, taken from a Eurocopter EC155.

The Eurocopter X³ hybrid helicopter has opened the frontiers of aviation by attaining a speed milestone of 255 knots in level flight. Several days before this accomplishment, the X3 reached a speed of 263 knots during a descent. With these two successes, the X3 surpasses the unofficial speed record for a helicopter.

Eurocopter achieved the historic 255-knot speed milestone with the X3 flying at an altitude of around 10,000 feet during a 40 minute test flight over southern France near Istres. It marks the latest in a growing list of achievements for the X³, which is Eurocopter’s technology demonstrator for an advanced, cost-effective vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) transportation system that offers the speed of a turboprop-powered aircraft and the full-flight capabilities of a helicopter.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that the X³ is clearly in its element at high speeds.” said Eurocopter test pilot Hervé Jammayrac. “While flying at both 255 knots and 263 knots, the X³ performed exactly as it has throughout its flight envelope, exhibiting outstanding stability and providing a low vibration level without any anti-vibration system.”

The X³ configuration utilizes a pair of RTM 322 turboshaft engines to power a five-blade main rotor system with two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings. This state-of-the-art design & architecture engine family combines power and growth potential. The RTM 322 variant, powering the X³, is based on the RTM 322 powering the NH90. It incorporates a FADEC adapted to the requirements of this high-speed demonstrator.

RTM 322 turboshaft

This concept is well suited for missions requiring long transit flights at high speeds, while retaining full vertical lift and hover capabilities – all at a very affordable cost. Eurocopter envisions a wide range of potential applications for its hybrid configuration, including in long-distance search and rescue (SAR) operations, coast guard missions, border patrol flights, passenger transport and off-shore airlift, along with inter-city shuttle services. The combination of higher cruise speeds and excellent VTOL performance is also well-suited for military missions such as special forces operations, troop transport, combat SAR and medical evacuation.

“Based on the X³ technologies, Eurocopter will continue setting the standard on future helicopters – offering our customers new levels of performance in terms of speed, range and mission capabilities at competitive costs," said CEO of Eurocopter, Guillaume Faury. "The outstanding X3 achievements result from the commitment and excellence of our teams. I want to recognize everyone involved in the demonstrator’s development.”

Guillaume Faury

The X³ was developed in a rapid paced Eurocopter program that utilized one of the company’s Dauphin helicopters as the airframe. For the latest high-speed milestone, the demonstrator was equipped with a drag-reducing rotor head fairing, which directly benefitted from company testing of a high-speed Dauphin DGV testbed during the 1990s, along with the addition of landing gear fairings. The Dauphin DGV enabled Eurocopter’s predecessor company Aerospatiale to set another helicopter speed milestone reaching a record velocity of 200 knots in 1991.

Dauphin DGV

Eurocopter flight test engineer Dominique Fournier, who was aboard the X³ with test pilot Jammayrac for the latest history-making flights, said the current high-speed evaluations are providing real data, in addition to the more symbolic aspect of achieving rotorcraft speed milestones.

“These flights allow us to further explore the behaviour of main rotors at high speeds and enable us to make effectiveness assessments of the fairing we’ve added to the main rotor hub – which will be beneficial for drag optimization across Eurocopter's overall product range,” Fournier explained.

With these latest flight milestones, the X³ demonstrator has accumulated a combined total of more than 140 hours aloft since making its maiden take-off in September 2010. After easily surpassing Eurocopter’s initial target of 220 knots for the X³, its speed was steadily increased while confirming the hybrid configuration’s excellent flight qualities, manoeuvrability, outstanding acceleration and deceleration. In reaching the latest 255- and 263-knot speed achievements, Eurocopter has further confirmed the concept’s potential.

The hybrid concept’s maturity also was validated in a 2012 U.S. demonstration tour for civil operators, military services and law enforcement agencies, with over 55 hours logged and 47 guest pilots taking the controls during appearances in four states from Texas to Virginia.

After the U.S. visit, which more than doubled the X3’s total flight time, Eurocopter performed an in-depth maintenance inspection that confirmed the mission-ready condition of the hybrid aircraft’s dynamic components and systems.

General characteristics

Crew: 2

Gross weight: 5,200 kg (11,464 lb)

Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9a turboshaft engines, 1,693 kW (2,270 hp) each

Main rotor diameter: 12.6 m

Main rotor area: 124.7 m²

Propellers: 5-bladed (two tractor propellers gear driven from main engines).

Main rotor: five-bladed from the Eurocopter EC155

Maximum speed: 293 mph, 255 kn at roughly 10,000 ft

Cruise speed: 253 mph, 220 kn

Service ceiling: 12,500 ft

Rate of climb: 5,500 ft/min