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Airbus begins work on new heavy-lift helicopter
Posted by Abdul Latheef in Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, Aircraft, Aviation, Business, Concept Aircraft, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Transport, Travel, X6
Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, Aircraft, Aviation, Business, Concept Aircraft, Le Bourget, News, Paris, Paris Air Show, Transport, Travel, X6
Airbus has announced plans for a new heavy-lift helicopter at the Paris Air Show.
With a concept phase of two years, the X6 (above) will be tailored for the civilian market, the European manufacturer said.
It will initially target oil and gas missions and will also be perfectly suited for search and rescue, VIP and other applications, it said.
“Major marketing, architecture and design choices for the twin-engine aircraft will be assessed to meet customer operational requirements during the concept phase,” Airbus said.
“It will set new standards in the industry not only for design, but for its production strategy as well, as we will rely on the industrial capacities of our core countries, including the upcoming pillar in Poland,” said Guillaume Faury, president and CEO of Airbus Helicopters.
“Our objective is to bring to the market the most efficient helicopter solutions adapted for how our customers’ needs and the industry itself will evolve in the future.”
One of the major innovations to be integrated on the X6 is the fly-by-wire flight control system, the company said.
“Once adequate program maturity has been achieved in the concept phase, a subsequent development phase will follow, leading to an X6 entry into service anticipated in the 2020s,” the company said.
Image is courtesy of Airbus.