Eurocopter is bringing its X3 experimental hybrid helicopter demonstrator to the United States this month for a summer tour that could include a visit to a town near you. The first stop will be American Eurocopter’s headquarters in Grand Prairie, Texas, on June 20. Where it heads from there is anybody’s guess.
The X3 is a compound helicopter based on the Eurocopter EC 155 that uses a traditional main rotor and two five-blade propellers mounted on either side of the fuselage to propel the aircraft to speeds of more than 220 knots. Power comes from two turboshaft engines, which drive the rotor and propellers.
Eurocopter is targeting a variety of commercial markets with the X3, including law enforcement and EMS, the U.S. Army, Coast Guard and Navy, and federal agencies including Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the FBI.
Check out the teaser video from Eurocopter announcing the X3’s U.S. tour:
