X-49
Dubbed the SpeedHawk by Piasecki, the X-49 is being developed with incremental funding from the US Army's Aviation Applied Technology Division to demonstrate the ability to increase the speed of existing helicopters to 200kt (360km/h).
The VTDP replaces the tail rotor and provides thrust for forward flight, while the wing unloads the rotor and allows the helicopter to fly faster.
Initially the aircraft will be flown within the SH-60's existing flight envelope, but the company then plans to install a third engine and push the helicopter to 200kt, says vice-president John Piasecki.
In forward flight most of the more than 2,100shp (1,560kW) from the two main engines will go to the VTDP, says Piasecki.
The third engine, called a secondary power unit, will replace the existing auxiliary power unit and provide another 600-700shp to the ducted propeller to push the compound helicopter to higher speed.
"This technology gives the helicopter the ability to productively use the extra power in forward flight," says Piasecki.
"Traditionally we add power to lift more, but we are at the outer edge of the envelope on the H-60, where a marginal increase in power brings a significant reduction in forward speed."
Dubbed the SpeedHawk by Piasecki, the X-49 is being developed with incremental funding from the US Army's Aviation Applied Technology Division to demonstrate the ability to increase the speed of existing helicopters to 200kt (360km/h).
The VTDP replaces the tail rotor and provides thrust for forward flight, while the wing unloads the rotor and allows the helicopter to fly faster.
Initially the aircraft will be flown within the SH-60's existing flight envelope, but the company then plans to install a third engine and push the helicopter to 200kt, says vice-president John Piasecki.
In forward flight most of the more than 2,100shp (1,560kW) from the two main engines will go to the VTDP, says Piasecki.
The third engine, called a secondary power unit, will replace the existing auxiliary power unit and provide another 600-700shp to the ducted propeller to push the compound helicopter to higher speed.
"This technology gives the helicopter the ability to productively use the extra power in forward flight," says Piasecki.
"Traditionally we add power to lift more, but we are at the outer edge of the envelope on the H-60, where a marginal increase in power brings a significant reduction in forward speed."
