Zathrus~SPARTA~ Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Ok I was going thru some military websites and ran accross this very interesting test platform for design concepts. It if one of the R&D test flight video for a "X-49 Speedhawk. I have never seen this one before, although apparently they started flight testing in 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durka-Durka~SPARTA~ Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Very interesting concept chopper, although it looks a bit wierd. First thing I thought was "how are the troops gonna get out?" lol. It'll be interesting to see how the aircraft changes after various tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeno~SPARTA~ Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 It is an ugly bird. I guess the small wings take over from the rotors when the big turbofan at the back pushes it forward fast enough. There was a concept plane called the Advancing Blade Concept which I thought was an elegant solution but it never took off (it did actually take off but not commercially). Good find. For those of you interested in Helicopters here is a BBC Horizon documentary from the late 80s or early 90's. It is a great documentary with very clear explanations of the development of the "Chopper". The ABC is in this documentary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrNo~SPARTA~ Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 well.....ok then......dont slip on the tarmak.......BBBZZZZZZZTHWAP......... ouch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zathrus~SPARTA~ Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 haha it is an ugly thing Zeno But my understanding is this thing is only to test various concepts that might make a helicopter faster... and cheaper than an Osprey. It looks like they modified a current Blackhawk for initial testing. It has the look of an after thought that produced a turbo-fan bolted to the tail... and new rotors. I am sure a final version would have better lines... and would not look like it had been put together under a tree somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicSN6 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 All the taliban who have seen this x-49 are laughing their arab asses off. "we'll just shoot it in its ass." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athlon64~SPARTA~ Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Kind of looks like a lead sled getting off the ground. The Blackhawk has to much tail on it, and is to long. Allways looks like its gragging its butt trying to lift off. I likr those old development vids. there great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durka-Durka~SPARTA~ Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 What do you want to bet the final incarnation (if they get that far) will consist of a totally new body, with the tail rotor turning from a side-to-side movement, to a foward-aft movement. And it'll be stealth too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zathrus~SPARTA~ Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 Yup, it probably will be stealth and I think to keep it quiet, the turbo fan on the back will probably be inside fuselage with vectored thrust as the airstream comes out the tail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adder360~SPARTA~ Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 if all else fails they can hang some glow sticks off the bottom and have a large speaker and itll be the party chopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custard~SPARTA~ Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 if all else fails they can hang some glow sticks off the bottom and have a large speaker and itll be the party chopper Isn't that the British Army stealth version? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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