Eurocopter Launches X3 Propeller-Powered High-Speed Helicopter, Hopes to Outrace Sikorsky's X2

i dont find it something that i would fly and im not verry picky

ummm pointless?

It seems like the extra propellers add to the danger because there are now three places to avoid for worry of losing your head. X2's propellers are right next to each other, so no added danger.

so the sikorsky is dubed X2.
is the eurocopter X3 or H3?

airplane/helicopter...
you mean like the Osprey, which was already invented?

antic, you bring up a good point, which Eurocopter addressed in their press release: the wing-mounted propellers will be disengaged when the helicopter lands to avoid possible injury.

ithyandel, this specific helicopter is called the X3, but it's a demonstrator for Eurocraft's innovative High-speed, long-range Hybrid Helicopter (H3) concept.

What we need is something like the X2 with FOUR rotors on top. And a jet engine on the back. Or two, mounted on the sides. With exploding chainsaw launchers.

"When rotorcraft are pushed to high speeds, the rotor tips approach supersonic speeds, which threatens the stability of the base of the rotor.?"

FAIL. Please go back and learn how rotorcraft actually fly. The forward speed of the craft is not proportional to the velocity of the rotor blades.

The instability at high speed is caused by retreating blade stall. It has nothing to do with "supersonic speeds".

Cool.

This seems way too complicated for a flying platform. The costs will kill it.

Deron.

FAIL. The Sikorsky is a much better looking and I'm sure performing chopper. Looks to me like Eurocopter got lazy and just tacked some crappy wings onboard and some props. Not really surprising though, Europe and many other countries continually fail to best our aircraft.

I only see one lifting rotor on this copter, so it will run into the differential lift problem at high speeds. The Sikorsky copter has counter-rotating rotors, so at high speeds both sides of the aircraft produce the same lift. I don't see how the Eurocopter could possibly be faster than the Sikorsky.

stare deeeeep into the blades. you are getting very sleepy...@.@

This copter looks like a piece of junk. Just look at it, it looks like they just took a regular copter cut the tail off and slapped some props on the side. And it only has one rotor. The Sikorsky X2 looks better and probaly perorms better. But I guess its the Europeans should espect that. American Aircraft are much better.

They should revisit Gyrodyne perhaps. It makes me a little nervous to see this design and know the next "Marine 1" heli for the President based at Quantico, VA, next to the island in Maryland it's been stated John Lennon might have bought, is coming from there, though assembled in New York State "because it could carry 500 pounds more". It looks like a Fairey design. The last design by a Custer desendant, with phenomenal lift from the half ducting of the wing behind the props would be a better flier perhaps. Testing, testing, testing.

I find it very exciting they are still trying to improve helicopters. As for the all the comments between the Ex3 and the Sx2- they are both entirely different ideas, as the Ex3 uses conventional technology saying its only adds 10 to 20% of the cost! Also, the Ex3 has only been flown for a few months and hit 232 knots as the Ax2 has been flying since 2008 and just hit the 250 knot speed. Yes the Ax2 looks nice and sleek but only seats 2 tandem as the Ex3 can seat 7 people- even for it to hit 232 knots with that huge cabin area is impressive and it does not require any special vibration dampening, as the double rotor style does. You have to ask why there are so few double style rotors out there- just too expensive and complex. As for people being scared about spinning propellers around the cabin area, they can be stopped once on the ground- becides don't all propeller airplanes have spinning propellers??? I am looking forward to seeing which technology is actually built and sold commercial.