The X3 demonstrator is outfitted with two turboshaft engines that power a five-blade main rotor system and two propellers installed on the short-span fixed wings as you can see from the photos at bellow. This design provide two benifits other then traditional helicopters.First, this offering the speed of a turboprop-powered aircraft which has higher flying speed. Second is the full hover flight capabilities of a helicopter. The concept is tailored to applications where operational costs, flight duration and mission success depend directly on the maximum cruising speed.
The X3 demonstrator’s first flight occurred on 6 September in southern France at the Istres Center of “DGA Flight Testing”, which is operated by the French DGA government agency and ensures a secure and controlled environment. Initial testing will continue through December with reduced power, progressively opening the flight envelope to speeds of approximately 333 km/hr. After a three-month upgrade, X3 flights will resume in March 2011 with the goal of reaching sustained cruise speeds in excess of 407 km/hr.
Source: http://www.eurocopter.com
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