Airbus Helicopters Eurocopter X³

Airbus Helicopters · France · first flew 2010 · helicopter

The Eurocopter X³ (X-Cubed) is a high-speed hybrid rotorcraft demonstrator developed by Eurocopter to explore configurations that substantially exceed conventional helicopter speeds without requiring a fully complex tiltrotor. It combines a five-blade main rotor with two stub-wing-mounted propellers.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, rotary
E — Engines	2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	19.5 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

High-speed hybrid helicopter with two stub-wing tractor propellers replacing tail rotor
Set unofficial helicopter speed record of 472 km/h in 2013
Experimental demonstrator — no production planned

Recognisable by the large five-blade main rotor combined with two small pusher/tractor propellers on short stub wings, and the absence of a tail rotor; based on the AS365 Dauphin fuselage.

Specifications

The Airbus Helicopters Eurocopter X³ has a length of 19.5 m (64 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13 m (43 ft).
Its maximum speed is 472 km/h (293 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The X³ flew for the first time in September 2010 and underwent an intensive test programme in France and at Edwards Air Force Base in the United States. In June 2013 it set an unofficial speed record for a rotorcraft at 472 km/h (255 kt) in level flight, demonstrating the potential of the hybrid configuration. The demonstrator was retired after the research programme concluded.

Variants

Only one demonstrator aircraft was built; no production derivative was launched from the X³ directly, though the research informed later high-speed rotorcraft studies.

Where you'll see it

Operated only as an experimental demonstrator by Airbus Helicopters; never entered any operational service.

Related aircraft

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