The Quest for the 300-m.p.h. Helicopter

The Speedhawk was funded by the Army to test the possibility of pushing existing helicopters to reach speeds up to 200 knots (360 kilometers per hour).

But Piasecki is not the only outfit chasing after record helicopter speeds. Challis Heliplane has also forwarded a concept for the "world's fastest" rotorcraft.

The Challis Heliplane would feature a single fixed wing on the retreating blade side of the aircraft of the aircraft that would provide extra lift at high airspeeds.

And Bell Helicopter, maker of the military's fast-flying Osprey tiltrotor, has already debuted a civilian version of the hybrid aircraft, which can go twice as fast as a normal helicopter.

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncateg...speedhawk1.jpg


http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/12/t ... for-t.html

i don't think that speedhawk is remotely practical. the wings that are require to provide lift for the helo at high speeds block access to the back of the helo. besides, the damn thing is ugly! sadly, as much as i dislike the V-22 that is going to be the wave of the future for VTOL rotory aicraft.

oh, btw VNE on a clean blackhawk is 196 kias.

>And Bell Helicopter, maker of the military's fast-flying Osprey tiltrotor, has already debuted a civilian version of the hybrid aircraft, which can go twice as fast as a normal helicopter.<

Thats the BA 609 a joint op between Bell and Agusta which I thought had halted but now read it is still on.