The Piasecki X-49 Speedhawk is an experimental compound helicopter developed to demonstrate the ability to increase the speed of existing helicopters to 200kt (360km/h).
In October 2000, a demonstration contract was awarded by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to Piasecki Aircraft. A Sikorsky YSH-60F was modified as a testbed for the Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) system.
During 2004 the VTDP program was transitioned from the US Navy to the US Army's Aviation Applied Technology Division and renamed X-49A.
The X-49A made its first flight on June 29, 2007. Piasecki planned to use the VTDP as an entry in the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program but were not chosen to take part in the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) phase.
In October 2000, a demonstration contract was awarded by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to Piasecki Aircraft. A Sikorsky YSH-60F was modified as a testbed for the Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) system.
During 2004 the VTDP program was transitioned from the US Navy to the US Army's Aviation Applied Technology Division and renamed X-49A.
The X-49A made its first flight on June 29, 2007. Piasecki planned to use the VTDP as an entry in the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program but were not chosen to take part in the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) phase.
