A design study has indicated that advanced composite helicopter airframe structures can provide significant system cost advantages. The most successful concept was found to be all-molded composite modular panels which provide integral skin/stringer and frame subassemblies. Based on present information it is estimated that a prototype composite airframe would cost approximately four percent more than a protoype metal frame. The difference is due primarily to the higher engineering design time, as the increased materials cost is largely offset by reduction of fabrication labor costs. (Author)
Application of Composites to Helicopter Airframe and Landing Gear Structures
1973
138 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch