The Airbus RACER Rapid and Cost-Effective Rotorcraft is an experimental high-speed compound helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters from the Eurocopter X³. Revealed at the June 2017 Paris air show, final assembly will start in mid-2020 for a 2021 first flight. Cruising up to 400 km/h (216 kn), it aims for a 25% cost reduction per distance over a conventional helicopter.
source.image: MechDesignTV
The Racer builds upon the success of Airbus Helicopters’ X3 demonstrator, which validated an aerodynamic configuration that combines a traditional main rotor and innovative lateral rotors. Optimised for a cruise speed of 400 km/h, the Racer features a variety of innovative technologies, including:
source.image: MechDesignTV
A characteristic box-wing designed for aerodynamic efficiency. A hybrid metallic-composite airframe designed for low weight. A new high-voltage, direct-current electric generator. A rear fuselage with an asymmetric cross-section profile, designed to optimise hover performances without penalising. The forward and cruise flight phases.
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Optimised for a cruise over 400 km/h (216 kn), 50% faster than a conventional helicopter, it will consume 15% less fuel per distance at 180 kn (333 km/h) than a helicopter at 130 kn (241 km/h), and aim for a 25% cost reduction per distance.
The lateral pusher propellers generate thrust and are isolated from passengers during ground operations by the box wings which serve to generate lift at cruise velocity. This allows the main rotor to be slowed by up to 15% as the craft’s air speed increases and prevents the rotor blades breaking the sound barrier which would reduce performance.[8] Driven by two engines, of which one is capable of shutting down and restarting once inflight to save fuel and increase range, it will have a low weight and low maintenance hybrid metallic-composite airframe and lower weight high voltage direct current electrical generation.
