Discover the revolutionary Airbus Racer — a high-speed rescue helicopter designed to reach accident scenes nearly twice as fast as traditional helicopters. Combining the agility of a helicopter with the speed of an airplane, the Racer cruises at over 400 km/h thanks to its innovative compound design featuring box-wings and pusher propellers.
source.image: Next Gen Mobility
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: ~10 passengers
- Max takeoff weight: 8,000–9,000 kg (17,637–19,842 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Safran Aneto-1X turboshaft engines, 1,900 kW (2,500[12] hp) each
- Propellers: 6-bladed (two pusher propellers gear driven from main engines).
Performance
- Cruise speed: 444 km/h (276 mph, 240 kn) , 180 kn (330 km/h) with only one engine
- Range: 740 km (460 mi, 400 nmi)
Not only faster, but it’s also eco-friendly, using 20% less fuel with an advanced eco-mode that optimizes engine performance. Building on the success of Airbus’s X3 demonstrator, the Racer completed its maiden flight in May 2024, promising to transform emergency services, from mountain rescues to medical transports. Witness the future of aviation and speed-saving missions in action! Like and share if you’re excited about this breakthrough.
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.
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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.[10] 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.
