One Of The Year's "Greatest Achievements In Aeronautics"
The Sikorsky X2 Technology demonstrator team has been named
the winner of the 2010 Robert J. Collier Trophy, awarded annually
to recognize the greatest achievements in aeronautics or
astronautics in America. It is the 100th Collier Trophy to be
awarded since the inception of the prize. The award, considered to
be the one of the greatest honors to be bestowed in the American
aviation industry, recognizes achievements that improve the
performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the
value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use
during the preceding year.
The recognition comes six months after the X2 Technology
demonstrator successfully achieved a speed of 250 knots true air
speed in level flight, setting an unofficial speed record for a
helicopter and accomplishing the program's ultimate speed
milestone. The Collier Trophy will be formally presented at the
Annual Collier Dinner to be held on May 5 at the Crystal Gateway
Marriott in Arlington, VA.
"This is a tremendous honor that recognizes the hard work,
dedication, skill and vision of many people," said Sikorsky
President Jeffrey P. Pino. "Sikorsky has a long and storied history
of innovation, starting with the invention of the world's first
practical helicopter and continuing today with X2 Technology and
the exciting new possibilities it opens for our company and our
industry."
Robert J. Collier was an aviator, humanitarian, and sportsman
who commissioned the trophy that bears his name in 1910 with the
intent to encourage the American aviation community to strive for
excellence and achievement in aeronautic development, according to
the National Aeronautic Association web site. Previous Collier
Trophy winners comprise a veritable "Who's Who" of aviation
excellence including Orville Wright, Chuck Yeager, and the F-22
Raptor Team. Among the Collier committee members to interview
Sikorsky X2 team members earlier this week about the demonstrator's
accomplishments was American astronaut Neil Armstrong.
"The entire Sikorsky Aircraft team is thrilled that the Collier
Trophy committee has recognized the X2 Technology demonstrator for
its game-changing technology, putting us in the highly respected
company of some of the industry's most prominent pioneers," said
Mark Miller, Sikorsky vice president of research & engineering.
"This is a tremendous honor for the entire Sikorsky community, and
we are proud to see the X2 Technology demonstrator earn its place
in aviation history."
"As the X2 Technology program transitions to its first
application, we are confident that the X2 design has a tremendous
future and is scalable for a variety of rotorcraft sizes and
applications. This recognition is warm acknowledgement of the great
things that can be achieved when the spirit of innovation and
dedication to the task are the foundation," Miller added.
"The X2 Technology demonstrator program set out to accomplish
four key performance objectives: low single pilot work load, low
vibration, low acoustic signature, and speed - defined as cruise at
250 knots," said Jim Kagdis, program manager for Sikorsky's
Advanced Programs. "There was a fifth key objective that remains a
driving force to all that we do at Sikorsky: to preserve the legacy
and pioneering spirit of our company founder, Igor Sikorsky, and to
educate and inspire the next generation of engineers and aviation
professionals. The Collier Trophy exemplifies this fifth objective,
so it is hugely rewarding for the team to stand recognized for
upholding the basic tenets on which Sikorsky Aircraft was founded.
I am extremely proud of the team and our accomplishment."
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.
Among the innovative technologies the X2 Technology demonstrator
employs are:
- Fly-by-wire flight controls
- Counter-rotating rigid rotor blades
- Hub drag reduction
- Active vibration control
- Integrated auxiliary propulsion system
As a "follow-on" to the successful X2 program, Sikorsky Aircraft
is continuing development of the next-generation rotary wing
technology by launching the S-97 RAIDER program. Sikorsky and
select suppliers will design, build, and fly two prototype light
tactical helicopters. These prototype vehicles will enable the U.S.
armed forces to experience, first hand, the advanced performance
capabilities X2 Technology can provide.
Like the X2 Technology demonstrator, the S-97 RAIDER helicopter
will feature twin coaxial counter-rotating main rotors and a pusher
propeller. In addition to flying at nearly twice the speed of a
conventional helicopter, the S-97 RAIDER prototype aircraft will
incorporate other key performance parameters critical to combat
operations - increased maneuverability, greater endurance, and the
ability to operate at high altitudes.
The X2 Technology program began in 2005 when Sikorsky first
committed resources and full funding for the program's development.
The X2 Technology demonstrator's Collier Trophy award marks the
second time a Sikorsky team has been awarded the esteemed trophy.
In 2002, the S-92 helicopter and its program team won the award.
The trophy recognized the S-92 helicopter team for designing,
manufacturing, testing and introducing into service the S-92
helicopter, which raised "across-the-board" standards for rotary
wing air travel.