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First Flight Gallery: Piasecki X-49A
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Read the original first flight press release:
Piasecki Achieves First Flight of the X-49A VTDP Compound Helicopter Technology Demonstrator
Essington, PA - June 29, 2007, Piasecki Aircraft Corp. (PiAC) today achieved first flight of its X-49A Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) Compound Helicopter Technology demonstrator. The VTDP is a second generation of PiAC's “Ring-Tail” ducted fan compound helicopter technology that replaces the conventional helicopter's tail rotor. In addition to providing anti-torque and yaw control, the VTDP also provides forward thrust and thrust vectoring control. In combination with a lifting wing and modification to the flight control, propulsion and other systems, PiAC believes the VTDP Compound offers significant improvement to helicopter speed, range, ceiling, survivability and life cycle costs.
The X-49A VTDP Flight Demonstration is being conducted under a two Phase flight test program. The Phase 1 test effort is focused on in-flight validation of loads, performance, dynamics and vibration reductions of the test aircraft within the existing SH-60F operational flight envelope. After successful completion of these tests, including demonstration of performance improvements, the Government may decide to pursue Phase 2 flight testing that would incorporate a propulsion system upgrade and drag reduction features for flight verification of the performance enhancements.
This program is a U.S. Army Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) initiative being managed by the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, Fort Eustis, VA. Successful flight demonstration of this technology will provide the Services a basis for assessing potential application of this technology to upgrade existing helicopter platforms such as the H-60, AH-64, and Marine Corps H-1 helicopters, as well as expand the technology base for future potential platforms, such as the Joint Multi-Role rotorcraft.
PiAC and its employees dedicated this first flight of the X-49A to the memory of Carl Crews, a former meritorious Sergeant, USMC, the late son of Colonel Terry Crews, USMC (Ret), and Grace Crews.
About Piasecki Aircraft Corporation:
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PIAC) is an aerospace research and development engineering and manufacturing company with a focus on the development of advanced manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft technologies. Its founder, Frank N. Piasecki, one of the original pioneers of the helicopter industry, was awarded America's highest technical honor, the National Medal of Technology, in 1986 and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
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