Sikorsky XV-2

The Sikorsky XV-2, also known by the Sikorsky Aircraft model number S-57, was a planned experimental stoppable rotor aircraft, designated as a convertiplane, developed for a joint research program between the United States Air Force and the United States Army. The program was canceled before construction of the prototype began.

XV-2
Role	Stoppable rotor aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Sikorsky Aircraft
Status	Canceled
Number built	0

Design and development

The XV-2 was developed as part of a joint U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army program intended to explore technologies to develop an aircraft that could take off and land like a helicopter but fly at faster airspeeds, similar to a conventional airplane. The XV-2's stoppable-rotor design was intended to allow it to hover and fly at low speed like a conventional helicopter. It utilized a single-blade single-rotor design; a counterweight provided stability to the rotor system,^[1] while a tip-jet arrangement powered the rotor, which retracted into the upper fuselage when stopped, the XV-2 then flying like a conventional aircraft on delta wings.^[2] A single jet engine was provided for forward flight, and was to be equipped with thrust vectoring for steering in hover and for anti-torque control in lieu of a tail rotor.^[3]

The XV-2 prototype was assigned the serial number 53-4403, but the project was cancelled before construction could begin.^[4]

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 45 ft 8 in (13.92 m)
• Wingspan: 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)
• Height: 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
• Powerplant: 1 × Armstrong Siddeley Mamba II or Allison 501-C1 / Pratt & Whitney JT12^[5] turboprop / turbojet^[6]

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• McDonnell XV-1
• Bell XV-3
• Sikorsky X-Wing