Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. said it broke the world speed record for a rotorcraft ”“ unofficially ”“ as its X2 prototype helicopter topped out at just under 260 mph during a one-hour flight test in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Sikorsky is based in Stratford and is a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp.
The X2 features a rear “pusher” propeller mounted at right angles to a helicopter”™s standard rear rotor, enabling the aircraft to fly at far faster speeds. A stacked set of main rotors whirl in opposite directions to enable the pilot to steer and minimize vibration.
Sikorsky pilot Kevin Bredenbeck piloted the flight, which snapped a speed record that the Westland Lynx helicopter had held since 1986. Sikorsky plans to push the X2 to nearly 290 miles per hour later this year.
Having developed the X2 on its own research budget, Sikorsky is marketing the helicopter to the U.S. Army as a potential future armed scout.
