Eurocopter X3 Preparing To Break Helicopter Speed World Record

While we, automotive enthusiasts, like to keep ourselves busy by putting vehicles through their paces on twisty courses, torturing four pieces of rubber to get our excitement, there’s also a different breed of humans who includes individuals that get their kicks by hitting air with blades. No, we’re not talking about sword fighters, we’re referring to helicopter lovers.

So, this piece of news is dedicated to them, bringing a speed record breaking machine in the spotlight. According to luxist.com, the Eurocopter X3 prototype has recently managed to reach an airspeed of 180 knots (that’s 207 mph for us land-bound creatures) during a series of level flight test in France.

The full potential of the X3 hasn’t been used yet, with the airborn creation expected to break the official helicopter speed world record in the future. We are talking about a machine that combines the assets of a tradition helicopter with those of a turboprop plane.

The X3 uses a Dauphin frame, coming with two Rolls Royce turboshaft engines that send their power to a five-blade main rotor system, as well as to two propellers mounted on short-span fixed wings.

The helicopter has been intensively tested over the last few months, offering impressive results. It has managed to reach an altitude of 12,500 ft (3,810 meters), as well as perform right and left turns at bank angles of up to 60 degrees.

Ok, we have to admit, we did consider switching to air fun once. But that was when we hit a massive bump way too hard.