AIRBUS RACER

On 20 June 2017 at the Paris air show, Airbus Helicopters revealed a high-speed demonstrator configuration based on the X3 developed within the Clean Sky 2 research programme. Its aerodynamic configuration was validated in 2017.

Development

In February 2018, the 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) Safran Aneto-1X was preferred over the RTM322 initially selected, it is 25% more compact for the same power.

By October 2018, design of key subsystems was completed before the first components started manufacturing with long-lead items, as the lateral drive shaft production began. GE's Avio Aero in Italy launched procurement and manufacturing of the lateral gear boxes housings, GE Aviation Systems in UK is building the wing's titanium cradle, INCAS / Romaero in Romania started the design and manufacturing the hybrid structure (metal and composite) of the Main Fuselage and the Firewalls and Aernnova in Spain the tail parts primary structure.

The flight demonstration should expand the flight envelope and assess performance, before demonstrating missions like EMS, SAR and private transport, while developing low-noise flight procedures. Final assembly was due to start in mid-2020 for a first flight in the fourth quarter of 2021. However, primarily due to pandemic-related delays, only 50% of the components were completed by the spring of 2021. The final component, the gearbox, was expected to be delivered in Q1 2022 for ground testing and installation, with first flight anticipated at the beginning of Q2 in 2022 However, it only arrived in March 2023. Powered systems testing and taxi trials however had begun in December 2022.

Design