Helicopters

Piasecki Aircraft says the US Army plans to provide an additional $3.3 million to continue flight testing of the X-49A SpeedHawk following the successful first flight of the experimental compound helicopter on 30 June.

Essington, Pennsylvania-based Piasecki will continue flying on company money, with flight-test support from Boeing, until the funding comes through, says vice-president John Piasecki. Funding under its existing army contract ran out at the end of June.

The X-49A is a Sikorsky YSH-60F prototype modified with wings and tail-mounted vectored-thrust ducted propeller (VTDP). The 15min first flight at Boeing's Wilmington, Delaware test centre involved hovering, pedal turns and slow forward and sideways flight using the VTDP for anti-torque, directional control and trim.

The first phase of testing will remain within the existing SH-60 flight envelope, after which Piasecki plans to install a third engine to increase power to the VTDP, clean up the helicopter to reduce drag, and begin high-speed testing with the goal of achieving 200kt (370km/h).

• High speed helicopter set for first flight in June