Eurocopter X3 finishes tour

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WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- Eurocopter's experimental hybrid X3 aircraft has completed has completed a monthlong promotion tour of the United States.

The aircraft, which first took to the air in 2010, began its tour in Texas at the headquarters of American Eurocopter and finished at the Pentagon, where it was on static display.

The X3 can fly at more than 250 miles per hour and has a rate of climb of 5,500 feet per minute. It features a pair of turboshaft engines, a five-blade main rotor system and two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings.

Eurocopter said the aircraft would be ideal for long-distance search-and-rescue, border patrol missions and passenger transport, as well as for Special Forces operations, troop transport, combat SAR and medical evacuation.

"Bringing the X3 to United States was a significant opportunity to showcase the aircraft's technology and capability to a wide variety of customers," said Eurocopter President and Chief Executive Officer Lutz Bertling. "The feedback we received from commercial, government and military customers who flew the X3 was overwhelmingly positive.

"It is clear that this technology will change the helicopter industry."