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Old 7th October 2011 | 03:53
  #901 (permalink)  
Hilife
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Land of the Angles
Yes the XH59A had performance, but it also had many problems that technology back then could not overcome.

I’ve no doubt Sikorsky learnt a great deal from the XH59A, but I would suggest that without fly-by-wire control technology and material advancements allowing for a reduction in high vibrations for one, further investment at the time would have achieved little reward.

Igor Sikorsky did not invent the helicopter, but he was the first to build a safe and practical platform that could be put into production.

Clearly Sikorsky feels confident enough that the data gleaned from the X2 flight test program justifies a continuation of ABC funding to the next phase, this being the X-97 Raider.

As it’s UTC’s money (and not that of the US taxpayer) they are spending, clearly they feel they could be on to a winner.
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