US NAVY BLENDS JET A AND BIO-ALGAE FUEL, TESTS IN SEAHAWK HELICOPTER

The US Navy successfully completed a test flight with a 50 / 50 blend of algae-based biofuel and Jet A (traditionally the flavor of choice for turbine-based aircraft). The mixture used is known as Solajet HRJ-5 Jet fuel, which doesn't quite have the same ring to it as good ole Jet A, but it does happen to be based on a renewable resource and managed to keep the rotor spinning. There's no word on how much the new fuel costs to produce or when it might be ready for commercial use, but if all goes to plan, we may soon be using the green stuff for more than just sushi rolls and miso soup.

EUROCOPTER X3 HYBRID SETS NEW SPEED RECORD

The Eurocopter X3 can cruise at more than half the speed of a commercial jet. Although the helicopter was striving to hit 220 knots, it actually blew past that milestone to maintain 232 knots (450 km or 279.6 miles per hour) in level, stabilized flight -- a new record for this aircraft. For the uninitiated, the X3 earns its "hybrid" moniker by combining two turboshaft engines that power five-blade main rotor system and two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings -- which, in layman's terms, allows it to hover like a helicopter should while reaching the kind of speeds you'd expect from a turboprop-powered aircraft.

While we love the idea of a high-speed joy ride for tourists, this thing will be used for long-distance search and rescue missions, along with border patrol, coast guard duties, offshore operations, passenger and troop transport, and medical evacuation.

UNIQUE SIKORSKY HELICOPTER BREAKS SPEED RECORD - WITH VIDEO

Sikorsky, the venerable helicopter manufacturer, has just broken the helicopter speed record with its X2 vehicle.  This unique helicopter has 2 counter rotating main rotors with a push prop in the rear instead of the usual parallel fan blade.  The Sikorsky website description of the helicopter:

The X2 uses a single T800 engine to power both the rotors and the tail-mounted variable-pitch propeller, which provides forward thrust to enable the high speed. Other technologies include fly-by-wire flight controls and active vibration control.


In the beginning of the video you can see the X2 Light Tactical Helicopter being developed for military use. [Gizmodo]