Design studies and wind-tunnel test investigations were conducted to define preliminary designs of folding-proprotor VTOL aircraft for USAF rescue and transport missions and to identify and investigate technical risk areas. The aircraft had gross weights of 66,000 pounds and extended hover capability to 7000 feet. Convertible fan-jet engines provided forward flight speeds to 452 knots with blades folded. Technical risk areas associated with the aircraft designs were found to be in areas of mechanisms, aerodynamics, stability and control, and dynamics. A dynamic wind-tunnel investigation, conducted with a semispan aeroelastic model, demonstrated successful continuous stop/fold/unfold/start sequences, and freedom from proprotor/pylon stability and blade flutter. (Author Modified Abstract)
Summary of Design Studies and Results of Model Tests of the Folding-Proprotor Aircraft Concept
1972
222 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Analyses and tests confirm design of proprotor aircraft
AIAA | 1972
|Analyses and tests confirm design of proprotor aircraft.
NTRS | 1972
|