The Racer hybrid helicopter model from Airbus has achieved a cruising speed of 418 km/h less than two months after its first flight, marking a significant milestone in the aviation industry.
Developed under the European Research Clean Sky 2 project, Racer surpassed its initial speed target of 400 km/h, as announced by Airbus on July 23. Racer achieved this feat on June 21, after 7 flights and approximately 9 hours of test flying. This accomplishment resulted from the collaboration of 40 partners across 13 European countries.
Racer test aircraft. (Photo: Airbus).
“In addition to performance, the aerodynamic characteristics and stability of the aircraft are very promising. We are looking forward to the next phase of testing, especially the Eco mode that allows one engine to shut down while flying forward, thereby reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions,” shared Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.
The test flight crew includes Hervé Jammayrac, the chief pilot, along with Dominique Fournier and Christophe Skorlic, test flight engineers. The next phase of testing will focus on operations with one engine and determining the flight range.
Optimized for cruising speeds over 400 km/h, Racer aims to achieve the best balance between speed, cost savings, and performance. Racer also targets a reduction in fuel consumption by about 20% compared to current helicopters in the same weight category, thanks to enhanced aerodynamics and an advanced propulsion system in Eco mode. Developed by Safran Helicopter Engines, this system allows one of the two Aneto-1X engines to shut down during cruise flight.
Racer features unique aerodynamic characteristics in its airframe, contributing to high speed and fuel efficiency. Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with rotors that generate vertical lift, enabling takeoffs and landings without requiring long runways like traditional helicopters, while being able to fly at high speeds like an airplane.
The development process for the Racer prototype was first announced in 2017. The Racer emerged from the achievements and experience gained from Airbus’s X3 experimental model introduced in 2010.
