High-speed ‘super-chopper’ that races through sky at 260mph could fly from London to Paris in 50 minutes

AIRBUS is moving connected an experimental super-chopper that flies astatine breakneck speeds of 260mph.

The Airbus Racer is described arsenic a "high-speed helicopter" – and could slash travel times dramatically.

Flying astatine its apical velocity could mean travelling the 213 miles betwixt London and Paris successful conscionable 50 minutes.

Typically, helicopters volition alert betwixt 75 and 150 miles an hour.

But Airbus' aerodynamic plan makes the Airbus Racer acold faster – and perchance adjacent cheaper to run.

The chopper is said to devour 20% little substance connected journeys portion flying faster than a regular helicopter.

Airbus' Racer (which stands for Rapid and Cost-Effective Rotorcraft) was archetypal unveiled successful June 2017.

And it completed its archetypal formation this year, with the imaginable of it being utilized for "high-speed missions" getting closer.

For instance, Airbus says that it could beryllium utilized for exigency aesculapian services "where the top alteration of redeeming lives depends connected assistance arriving wrong the archetypal 'golden hour'."

Airbus says it could besides beryllium utilized for hunt and rescue operations, nationalist service, and commercialized transportation.

The Racer has flown respective times already this year, including reaching speeds of 260.9mph.

Airbus says that the chopper has completed astatine slightest 7 flights and 9 hours of testing.

"This accomplishment successful specified a abbreviated abstraction of clip is truly a grounds to the hard enactment of our 40 partners successful 13 European countries to bring each of this innovation to flight," said Airbus Helicopters brag Bruno Even.

"On apical of its performance, the aircraft's aerodynamic behaviour and stableness are promising.

"We are each looking guardant to the next signifier of formation testing.

"Especially the eco-mode which volition alteration america to unopen down 1 motor successful guardant flight, frankincense reducing substance consumption, and lowering the CO2 emissions."

Getting the outgo of flying down is simply a cardinal portion of the Racer's design.

Despite its accelerated pace, the Racer is really meant to beryllium a large mode to slash the terms of chopper trips.

"The purpose of the Racer is not to spell arsenic accelerated arsenic possible," said Airbus' Julien Guitton.

"But to connection enhanced operational capabilities astatine the close terms for missions wherever velocity tin truly beryllium an asset.

"When we inquire extremity users whether precocious speeds are of involvement to them, the reply is invariably ‘yes, but’.

"Speed astatine immoderate price, without taking into relationship the economical and biology impact, is of nary involvement to anyone."

Airbus besides says that the plan of the chopper is "more comfortable" than a regular chopper.

That's due to the fact that the helping is capable to instrumentality the load disconnected the rotor, which Airbus says reduces vibrations.