Boeing Reveals Concept For Future Attack Helicopter
WASHINGTON—Officials from Boeing have revealed details of a concept for a new future attack helicopter it is showcasing at the Association of the United States Army’s annual conference here this week. Defence Blog reports that the revised attack variant of the helicopter is designed to destroy tanks, armoured and non-armoured ground targets, and enemy troops and helicopters both on the front line and in tactical reserves.
The aircraft’s capabilities are largely derived from the X2 rigid co-axial rotor system, which has already proven its airworthiness through flights of the X2 and S-97 Raider. With two coaxial rotors on top that rotate in opposite directions, the extra lift from each rotor’s advancing blade balances out the diminished lift from the opposite side’s retreating blade to eliminate retreating blade stall.