Conventional wisdom is being challenged on both sides of the Atlantic, where Sikorsky's X2 and now Eurocopter's X3 are showing that helicopters need not be slow and that a 50% increase in speed is achievable at reasonable cost. The prospect of cruising at 220 kt., not today's 150 kt., has both commercial and military helicopter operators seriously interested, particularly for long-range missions ...

View a video of the X-3 in flight.

While the preliminary reorganization plan filed June 30 details an exchange under which Hawker Beechcraft’s creditors would take ownership of the company, Hawker executives yesterday told employees they are keeping all options open, including a potential sale of the company. The reorganization plan and an accompanying disclosure statement was the next step designed to help the company move out from under nearly $2.5 billion in debt and emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection ...