Helicopter Manufacturers Develop a Need for Speed -- Wall Street Journal
PARIS—Helicopters can hover, hop and reverse midair. Now they're trying a new trick: speed.
Rivals Eurocopter, U.S.-based Sikorsky and other companies are testing fast prototypes, all with an eye toward redefining the helicopter's place in the sky and expanding its market. Eurocopter's X3 is set to make its public debut Monday at the Paris Air Show.
The companies hope that increasing range and boosting maximum speed to as fast as 280 milesper hour from about 175 mph will spark increased use as emergency vehicles and as transportation for executives and workers in remote locations.
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My Comment: The military applications for this next generation of helicopters cannot be ignored .... even with defense budget cuts.