Airbus Helicopters outlines next test phase for Racer demonstrator

Airbus Helicopters is getting its Racer compound rotorcraft demonstrator ready for a second phase of flight testing, the manufacturer says. At the company's Marignane headquarters in southern France, work is under way to install systems for operating and testing "eco-mode" on the aircraft's two Safran Helicopter Engines Aneto-1X turboshafts.

Eco-mode shuts down one of the two engines during cruise while the other runs at an optimal output. That saves fuel and holds a speed of 180kt. The dormant engine can be restarted quickly; Racer chief engineer Jerome Geneix said an emergency restart should be possible in under seven seconds.

Geneix said the aim is for the Racer to fly again before the end of the year, with eco-mode testing running through early next year.

The demonstrator has flown 70 flight hours, including with several external pilots. Envelope expansion took seven flights, and the aircraft has reached 246kt, above its 220kt target. Its fuel-saving performance has come in ahead of target, according to Airbus.

The Racer follows the earlier X3 demonstrator. Two lateral pusher propellers mounted at the apex of V-shaped box-wings drive high-speed flight, and around half of total lift in forward flight comes from the wing, which allows the main rotor to be slowed for better efficiency.

Forthcoming campaigns include trials of eco-mode engines, low-noise approaches and long-distance flights.