Remember the Eurocopter X³? It broke the record in 2013, achieving a mind-blowing 255 knots (472 km/h) with its unique hybrid configuration. The program was momentarily paused when Eurocopter rebranded to Airbus Helicopters in 2014. Then, in 2017, the Racer—which stands for Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft—a direct evolution of the X³, was unveiled. It made its first flights last year, and then this year, at the 2025 Paris Air Show, it had its moment with a flying display.
Built on the not-so-humble shoulders of the X³, the Airbus Racer is the Ferrari of helicopters—if Ferraris could hover, carry stretchers, and have box wings. Designed to cruise at over 400 km/h (that’s more than 250 mph), this hybrid beast features a main rotor for lift and wing-mounted propellers that push it forward like it’s trying to outpace a jetliner.
But it’s not just about going fast. Racer is also gunning for fuel efficiency, promising up to 25% less fuel burn compared to regular choppers in its weight class. That’s thanks to aerodynamic fine-tuning and a fancy “eco-mode” propulsion system that lets one engine nap mid-flight to save juice.
It isn’t built just to show off at air shows either. Racer is developed with real-world missions in mind, from medical emergencies where every second counts, to search and rescue ops, public service flights, and even fast-paced commercial transport. Basically, if it needs to be airborne and fast, this thing is ready.
Also, this isn’t just speed wrapped in carbon fiber and good intentions. The Racer brings plenty of innovations, including a hybrid metallic-composite airframe, an asymmetric tail to improve hovering, and a high-voltage DC generator that sounds like it came out of a sci-fi lab.
Images: Airbus.
