The 2010 Robert J. Collier Trophy will be officially awarded May 5, 2011, to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and the X2 Demonstrator Team “for demonstrating a revolutionary 250 knot helicopter.” The National Aeronautic Association, which offers the award, says the aircraft “marks a proven departure point for the future development of helicopters by greatly increasing their speed, maneuverability and utility.” The X2 demonstrator combines counter-rotating coaxial rotors, fly-by-wire flight controls, active vibration control and integrated auxiliary propulsion. AVweb got an inside look at the aircraft at HAI Heli-Expo in Orlando — click here for the video. Sikorksy plans to follow the design with S-97 Raider production models based on the technology. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Collier Trophy and Sikorsky faced tough competition.
Nominees for the 2010 Collier Trophy included the team that created the hypersonic 1-mile-per second X-51A WaveRider scramjet (click for video), the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III Team, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, and General Aviation for its role saving lives after the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
