X2 Technology Demonstrator Wins Award from Popular Science

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s X2 Technology demonstrator program has been recognized by Popular Science magazine with a 2009 “Best of What’s New Award.”

Popular Science, the world’s largest science and technology magazine with 7.1 million readers, named the X2 Technology demonstrator as one of the top technological advancements in the Aviation & Space category in 2009.

It is the third high-profile recognition for the X2 Technology demonstrator by a major consumer magazine in a month. In October, Popular Mechanics presented the X2 Technology program with a 2009 Breakthrough Innovator Award, while Time magazine recently named it to its list of “The 50 Best Inventions of 2009.”

“For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us ? those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what’s possible in the future,” said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. “The Best of What’s New Award is the magazine’s top honor, and the 100 winners ? chosen from among thousands of entrants ? represent the highest level of achievement in their fields.”

“We are delighted that Popular Science has affirmed the breakthrough technologies that the X2 Technology demonstrator program offers,” said Mark Miller, Sikorsky Vice President of Research & Engineering. “It is following in a great tradition of innovation that has become a hallmark of Sikorsky Aircraft products, and we share the magazine’s excitement in recognizing the potential it holds for our customers and for the aviation industry.”

Aiming to achieve the highest speed ever recorded for a helicopter, the X2 Technology demonstrator combines an integrated suite of technologies intended to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate a helicopter can cruise comfortably at 250 knots while retaining such desirable attributes as excellent low speed handling, efficient hovering, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed.

The X2 Technology program, based at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center in Florida, to date has achieved a maximum test flight speed of 106 knots.