Sikorsky Advancing Toward X-2 First Flight

Sikorsky Aircraft reports making progress in the work necessary to get its X-2 technology demonstrator to its first flight. "Timing of the first flight depends on how fast current ground test activities can be completed," said Peter Grant, the company’s program manager for advanced programs. Sikorsky had been aiming for a first flight by year's end. Original plans for a first flight by the end of 2006 were scotched in part by a shift of funding to overcome strike-related production delays that year. Grant said multiple runs have been conducted with the X-2’s LHTEC engine with "no major issues to date." Reuters reported Louis Chenevert, president and COO of Sikorsky parent United Technologies told its recent aerospace and defense conference the demonstrator will be ready to fly in the first quarter of 2008. For related news