Racer high-speed helicopter hits cruise speed target

On 21 June, 2024 less than two months after its first flight, the Racer demonstrator exceeded its level speed objective of 407km/h (220kts) by reaching 420km/h (227kts) in its initial configuration. In seven flights and around nine hours of flight testing, almost all of the flight envelope has been opened, Airbus said.

In a statement, Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said: “This achievement in such a short space of time is really a testimony to the hard work of our 40 partners in 13 European countries to bring all of this innovation to flight.

“On top of its performance, the aircraft's aerodynamic behaviour and stability are promising. We are all looking forward to the next phase of flight testing, especially the eco-mode which will enable us to shut down one engine in forward flight, thus reducing fuel consumption, and lowering the CO2 emissions.”

The flight test crew was made up of of Hervé Jammayrac, chief flight test pilot, Dominique Fournier, flight test engineer, and Christophe Skorlic, test flight engineer. The next phase of flight testing will focus on single engine operations and finalise the flight envelope.