X-2 LTH Makes Its Debut

This is one product the Indian Air Force (IAF) could only, up till now, dream of having some day. Tentatively called the X-2 light tactical helicopter (LTH), this revolutionary helicopter’s full-scale mock-up was unveiled last month by Sikorsky during the Army Aviation Association of America symposium. Being developed as both an armed reconnaissance helicopter as well as a light combat helicopter, the high-speed X-2 LTH is likely to become available for export by 2017, with unmanned hot-and-high performance parameters, especially of the type that will come in extremely handy in high-altitude battlefields of the type prevailing in Afghanistan and northern India. The X-2 LTH will combine high cruising speed with flight agility and the ability to go from the hover to an astonishing 250 Knots and back without any rotary/fixed-wing mode changes. Sikorsky’s X-2 technology demonstrator—a modified Black Hawk— is due back in the air shortly after incorporating the definitive modifications to prepare for high-speed testing, which include connecting the rear-mounted pusher-prop, fairing over the rotor hubs, and making the landing gear retractable. Sikorsky expects the X-2 technology demonstrator to pass its 250 Knot speed target by the year’s end—which means that the results will be available in time for consideration by prospective launch customers like the IAF.

“These technologies can potentially bring new rotorcraft capabilities that, to date, have been unachievable by the industry,” says Sikorsky President Jeffrey P Pino. “In addition to doubling the cruise speed of helicopters, this technology can improve hot-and-high performance, manoeuvrability and low acoustic signature. The X-2 LTH concept demonstrates a way to package these capabilities into an airframe that is tailored to meet a range of military missions,” Pino explained. The X-2 LTH’s multi-mission capabilities will meet both regular US Army and future Joint Special Operations Command requirements in a variety of combat roles. It is for this reason that Sikorsky has invested through its in-house funds in the LTH concept to illustrate the company’s commitment to developing futuristic capabilities that are both achievable and affordable. Furthermore, the X-2’s technologies are scalable to a variety of military missions, including armed assault, armed reconnaissance, close air support and combat search-and-rescue, and unmanned applications. It may be recalled that Sikorsky had announced an initiative in June 2005 to develop an integrated suite of technologies called X-2 TECHNOLOGY. The technology demonstrator aircraft made its flight in August 2008. The demonstrator combines an integrated suite of technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating co-axial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate that a helicopter can cruise at 250 Knots, while retaining such desirable helicopter attributes as excellent low-speed handling, efficient hovering, auto-rotation safety, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed. Among the innovative technologies the X-2 LTH will incorporate are: digitised redundant fly-by-wire flight controls, counter-rotating rigid rotor blades, hub drag reduction, active vibration controls, and an integrated auxiliary propulsion system. The twin-engined LTH variant will be equipped with twin stub-wings for carrying air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons, and a chin-mounted multi-spectral optronic sensor turret. Interestingly, Russia’s Oboronprom United Industrial Corp too is developing similar solutions aimed at new-generation medium-lift helicopter designs, one of which is the Kamov Ka-92, which features twin contra-rotating main rotors and twin contra-rotating tail rotors.

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