Hybrid Helicopter Takes Flight

AP/Eurocopter/Patrick Penna

Eurocopter just unveiled it's newest helicopter in development. Codenamed the X3, it's a hybrid of helicopter and airplane that features stubby wings in addition to the typical main rotor design. Interestingly, it doesn't need to have tail rotors, as the forces that are normally cancelled out by the tail rotor are taken care of by the propellers on the small wings. It's a very cool design that's able to get the helicopter going forward at up to 220kts (far faster than a normal helicopter). Read more at the original Yahoo story