The RACER: manufacturing and testing

Abstract

The RACER represents a demonstrator of an innovative and unique high-speed rotorcraft which is developed at Airbus Helicopters in the frame of the European CleanSky2 initiative in co-operation with multiple research, development, and manufacturing partners all over Europe. The RACER is planned to have its first flight by mid of 2022. This paper first gives a brief global introduction of the high-speed concept, highlighting the main outstanding characteristics in terms of mission performance, aerodynamics ad structures. Furthermore, an overview of the airframe structural composition is presented with a special focus on the basic structural arrangement of the three main components of the aircraft: the joined wings, the tail and empennage, and the main fuselage as largest integrative element of the vehicle. The main component`s description includes an insight on design and production details, as well as testing and substantiation approaches and addresses some of the major innovation topics. Some pictures reflect the assembly and production status at the date of the paper submission