Airbus has reported its compound helicopter, Racer, a high-speed technology demonstrator, is on track to meet a first flight deadline in 2021, following a delay in some development items, the company said.
Under the company´s previous schedule, the Racer was due to perform its maiden sortie in 2020.
Part of the EU´s Clean Sky 2 programme, the Racer design features twin pusher propellers mounted on V-shaped box-wings.
Under Clean Sky rules, demonstrator aircraft funded by the programme can only be taken to technology readiness level 6 — short of full industrialisation.
The Racer will be powered by twin Safran Helicopter Engines Aneto-1X powerplants, one of which can be shut down — and rapidly restarted — in forward flight to cut fuel consumption. This will allow the helicopter to meet ambitious environmental targets, which require 20% lower emissions of CO2 and NOx.
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