The Sikorsky X2 has just successfully finished its first 30 minute test flight on Wednesday which was scheduled to take place two years ago. The X2, which is designed to cruise at 250kts, now enters a four-phase series of flight tests. The flight tests will support a decision expected in 2010 on whether to launch the X2 as a new civil aircraft. The X2 demonstrator is powered by the Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Co. (LHTEC) T800 engine, which was developed to support the cancelled Sikorsky/Boeing RAH-66 Comanche. The issues surrounding coaxial rotor designs are related to its bad reputation of high vibrations which engineers are working on solving with the X2.

While its design is not completely original, it does feature new fly-by-wire controls and advanced avionics. If all goes well then we may expect to see more of these machines in our daily corporate lives by 2010.

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