Eurocopter X3 hybrid

[sycamore]

Be very interested to see the low speed/x-wind/sideways/rearwards handling,and whether `changes` get made...

[Encyclo]

I guess you don't have to worry about walking into the T/R

You wouldnt make it there alive

[MikeNYC]

Any coincidence it's called the X3, putting it (in terms of name alone) ahead of Sikorsky's X2? I doubt it. Yeah, pretty fugly... and I don't know if I'd want to board the aircraft with the props turning.

[Yellow & Blue Baron]

This is concept only? Probably any commercial aircraft will have shrouded side rotors or clutch to disengage side engines as these are to dangerous for rotors turning loading/unloading.

Is yaw control by using side engines for left/right movement as you do in a vehicle with tracks?

YBB

[widgeon]

Interesting, how will they lower RPM of the main rotor while increasing power to the tip props?

[Bravo73]

Originally Posted by widgeon

Interesting, how will they lower RPM of the main rotor while increasing power to the tip props?

Variable pitch props?

[IFMU]

Wow, she's a beaut. Nice video too. Not too many points for originality on the name, though.

I've said it before, anybody who makes something new and actually flies it deserves credit. Will be interesting to see how it performs.

Looks like slope landings may not be its specialty, unless you are nose up/nose down the hill.

Is it FBW or mechanical? From the video it sounds like it is not FBW. Would seem to be crying out for a FBW solution, then again maybe blending collective position vs thrust vs speed vs antitorque is not that hard.

-- IFMU

[212man]

I'm sure it would need shrouded props to be viable, and they would have the advatage of reduced diameter too. It will be interesting to hear how fast they get. I know that head/rotor has been to 210 kts on the EC-155 prototype and 240 kts on another demonstrator, so lots of potential!

The name is not X-three, it's X-cubed.

[76ranger]

Not a new concept

I liked it better when it was called the Fairey Rotodyne!

[IFMU]

Originally Posted by 212man

The name is not X-three, it's X-cubed.

Whoops! I stand corrected.

-- IFMU

[fling-wing_1]

Well damn!!!

Back in the secondary/uni days I came up a with a concept for a helicopter/compound aircraft. I couldn't interest any of the engineering profs at my uni so I filed it away.

It was based on a Rutan concept for a two place aircraft in Popular Mechanics. My design was a two to three place aircraft with staggered seating, the third possibly facing backwards, with a forward swept, negative staggered wing, bicycle landing gear with outriggers (a la B-52) and either wing mounted pusher props or ducted fans. I gave up on the idea of a pure heli and settled on a jump take off gyro with a powered rotor to overcome the induced drag of a pure gyro ( see Igor Benson's Powergyro concept) with an unloaded rotor flying on the wiing (Like the Cheyenne.) I figured 180 kts+. Not unreasonable given the technology of the 60-70's.

High speed, long loiter times at altitude would make for a great UAV. Too bad I'm a bit of an anti-statist Well more power to them! Will be cool to see what they come up with...

[ShyTorque]

Looks great. I always thought the Rotodyne concept was way ahead of its time; here it comes again

However, rotors running crew and pax changes will need some careful thought...

The benefits of a high speed SAR machine was mentioned. Where does the winch fit?

[Frenchrotorhead]

Seems like resonance between the wings/nacelles and the wide tailfins.

[Lonewolf_50]

OK, under those nice fairings are, based on my count of intakes, three engines. Does the transmission allow all three to drive the head, and clutching allow for power transmission to the side mounted assemblies?

Neat looking machine.

Maybe a slight forward sweep on the wings would be a good idea ... though CG issues may arise ...

[skadi]

OK, under those nice fairings are, based on my count of intakes, three engines. Does the transmission allow all three to drive the head, and clutching allow for power transmission to the side mounted assemblies?

There are just two engines installed ( from NH90 ) and the XMS ( EC175 ) has two lateral outputs towards the props.
See the vid i posted above!

skadi

[Ian Corrigible]

Originally Posted by Misler

Any coincidence it's called the X3

Possibly an attempt at one-upmanship, though it also fits in with EC's nomenclature for its 'one new product every year' plans, the future Dauphin replacement having already been 'announced' as the X4.

Originally Posted by Yellow & Blue Baron

This is concept only?

Almost certainly. Given Europe's on-going requirement for a Heavy Lift Helicopter, it's interesting to remember that Sikorsky's X2HSL and Boeing's most recent ULOR concept both use auxilliary propulsors.

Originally Posted by Lonewolf_50

under those nice fairings are, based on my count of intakes, three engines

The vid posted by Skadi confirms two engines (2,100 shp class RTM322s, replacing the AS365's 838 shp Arriel 2Cs); the center intake is cooling air for the gearbox complex.

I/C

[Earl of Rochester]

OK, under those nice fairings are, based on my count of intakes, three engines.

Was also going to say nay to this, more than likely cooling for all that input to the mgb.

Seems like resonance between the wings/nacelles and the wide tailfins.

There was severe resonance in exactly these areas and I dare say that the chaps from EC may even have been a little surprised.

Cattletruck did elude to it in his comment:

I would think the lower moment of the pusher/puller props from the MR head would contribute significant pitching movements (like a boat) as the couples fight each other for equilibrium.

This a/c must surely be a testbed and I am sure that if it goes into production will look nothing like it does now. Someone mentioned shrouded rotors - anyone remember Dowty?




Dowty's Ducted Fan Islander

Not only do the props need to become ducted fans or similar but I am sure the entire wing assembly will be modified to accommodate optimal dynamic relation with the main and side rotors.

If they didn't go for fans then the side rotors should ideally become rearward facing (if the cg can be maintained) to encourage better safety.

Just taking a wild stab at the vibration from the side props .. my guess is that the pylons are too flexible and probably have little by way of damping measures.

It will be interesting to see how x-cubed ends up!

Earl

[Lonewolf_50]

skadi:
I don't typically click on vids. Might take a peak at this one later, though.

Thanks to you and Ian and Earl for insight on third inlet: cooling that transmission sounds a good idea.

[Pandalet]

New Euro multicopter aims bitchslap at American X2, V-22 ? The Register

Franco-Germano-Spanish helicopter agglomorocorp Eurocopter has announced its aspirations to leave a glowing handprint upon the bitchcheek of US whirlycraft titan Sikorsky. In an apparent response to the Sikorsky X2 triplex speedchopper project, Eurocopter has now pulled the wraps off its own supercopter design - which it has chosen to dub the "X3".

"Hah, it is not merely ze Americains who can make ze flying eggbeaters"

[victor papa]

I am surprised at the comments regarding the shrouded rotor. I am sure EC will get there especially seeing that they are the masters of the fenestron? EC is one manufacturer to whom shrouded rotors are not a new concept so I bet as was said before that the eventual product will look different with different concepts but it remains impressive the short time from development to actually flying again as per the 175. You will never know what works best until you actually start flying it I guess.