Airbus reveals radical 250mph 'Racer' helicopter with wings, propellors AND a rotor
- Codenamed Racer, for Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft
- Combines fixed wings for lift, propellers for propulsion and a main rotor that provides vertical takeoff and landing capabilities
- Construction will begin in 2019, and the helicopter is expected to make its first flight in 2020
It is set to be one of the fastest helicopters in the sky.
Airbus has revealed a radical new concept it says will be able to fly at speeds of 250mph.
The aerospace firm said it could revolutionise everything from search and rescue and air ambulances to private travel.
Final assembly of the demonstrator is expected to start in 2019, with a first flight the next year, Guillaume Faury, Airbus Helicopters CEO said at the Paris air show
Airbus Helicopters has the aerodynamic configuration of the high speed demonstrator it is developing as part of the Clean Sky 2 European research programme.
Codenamed Racer, for Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft, the demonstrator was unveiled today at the Paris air show.
It will incorporate a host of innovative features and will be optimised for a cruise speed of more than 400 km/h, the firm says.
'Today we unveil our bold vision for the future of high-speed rotorcraft,' said Guillaume Faury, Airbus Helicopters CEO.
'This new project, pulling together the skills and know-how of dozens of European partners through the Clean Sky 2 initiative, aims to bring increased speed and range at the right cost, thanks to a simple, safe and proven aerodynamic formula.
'It will pave the way for new time-sensitive services for 2030 and beyond, setting new benchmarks for high-speed helicopter transportation.'
Final assembly of the demonstrator is expected to start in 2019, with a first flight the next year.
The Racer demonstrator will use an 'box-wing' design, optimised for aerodynamic efficiency, will provide lift in cruise mode while isolating passengers during ground operations from the 'pusher' lateral rotors designed to generate thrust in forward flight.
These lateral rotors as well as the main rotor will be driven by two RTM322 engines.
An 'eco mode' will be tested by the engine manufacturer to show off fuel savings and increasing range.
The Racer demonstrator will also benefit from a hybrid metallic-composite airframe, specifically designed for low weight and low recurring costs.
It combines fixed wings for energy efficient lift, propellers (so called lateral rotors) for energy-efficient propulsion and a main rotor that provides energy-efficient VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) flight capabilities
It will incorporate a host of innovative features and will be optimised for a cruise speed of more than 400 km/h, the firm says
Airbus says it will 'demonstrate its suitability for a wide spectrum of missions where increased speed and efficiency will bring significant added value for citizens and operators.
'This is especially the case for emergency medical services and search and rescue operations, as well as for public services, commercial air transport and private and business aviation,' it says.
Airbus says it will 'demonstrate its suitability for a wide spectrum of missions where increased speed and efficiency will bring significant added value for citizens and operators'
These lateral rotors as well as the main rotor will be driven by two RTM322 engines
The quadbike that can transform into a quadcopter: Bizarre buggy can take to the air and reach 50mphThe flying 'AirQuadOne' can reach altitudes of up to 3,000 feet (914 meters)
- The fully-electrical vehicle can fly at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/hr)
- The drone's unmanned version can lift payloads of up to 100 kg (220 lbs)
- The 'flying quad' could be used as a personal means for transportation, as well as a replacement for cranes and helicopters or emergency cars
A new flying quadbike is set to be presented at the upcoming International Paris Airshow.
The Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft, called the AirQuadOne, can reach altitudes of 3,000 feet (914 meters) and flight speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour).
The 'flying quad' could be used as a means for personal transportation, as well as a replacement for cranes and helicopters or emergency cars.
The flying quad bike, developed by Neva Aerospace, is a fully-electrical vehicle that can reach altitudes of 3,000 feet (914 meters) and flight speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour)
Its applications include extreme sports and leisure, parcel transportation, robotic maintenance, active defense and heavy lifting.
The drone, which will be manufactured as manned and unmanned versions, can fly for 20 to 30 minutes and is expected to be compatible with electric car charging stations - either via direct wire connection or induction or a battery pack switch.
According to Neva Aerospace, the drone's unmanned version will be able to lift payloads of up to 100 kg (220 pounds) and replace craned and helicopters or emergency cars.
Now, the company is working with regulators and pilots to obtain 'Light Aircraft' certification with the US (FAA) and EU (EASA).
The AirQuadOne will have 24/7 traffic management support when flying, with an emergency satellite communication connection.
According to Neva Aerospace, the aircraft will be manufactured using recycled carbon and will have static thrust electric turbofans (ETF's) which are designed to optimize Vertical Take-Off and Landing - a pre-requisite for the use of unmanned drones and personal aircraft in crowded industrial and urban skies.
A hybird version of the drone is set to provide even longer flight times of around 60 minutes based on current battery technology 
The 'flying quad' could we used as a personal means for transportation, as well as a replacement for cranes and helicopters or emergency cars
The Neva Aerospace co-founder and chairman F.M. Robert Vergnes said: 'We have been working on the AirQuadOne concept since 2013, but waited to share it until our static thrust technology was proven.'
The Neva Aerospace co-founder and chief science officer Professor David Brotheron-Ratcliffe said: 'This is an exciting use of our principles for 3D distributed propulsion with electric turbines.
'This approach provides safety and control through redundancy.
The drone's applications include extreme sports and leisure, parcel transportation, robotic maintenance, active defense and heavy lifting
'The only limitation we have today is the current limitation of the battery technology available.
'The next steps or us will be ensuring redundancy in flight controls and energy sources.'
The AirQuadOne will be presented at the International Paris Air Show, taking place in the city's Le Bourget airport between June 23 and June 25 2017.
French President Emmanuel Macron (center) during his visit at the opening of the 52nd International Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, near Paris, France, June 19
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