The aerodynamic interaction between a tandem-rotor helicopter and an amphibious assault ship is described. The investigation was jointly sponsored by NASA and the U.S. Navy, using 1/48th-scale helicopter and ship models. The test was conducted in the Army 7- by 10-Ft Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was used to acquire 3-component velocity field measurements of the ship airwake and the combined wake of the tandem-rotor helicopter and ship. Ship-alone air-wake measurements are presented for yaw angles of 0, 5, 10 and 15 degrees, for a wind speed of 22.5 ft/sec at one aircraft landing spot of primary interest. The combined wake of the tandem-rotor helicopter and the ship air-wake are described in considerable detail at the same landing spot for both zero and fifteen degrees yaw angle. Variation of the combined wake with position of the upwind aircraft is described in detail. These measurements provide guidance in planning shipboard operations of rotorcraft.
PIV Measurements of the Wake of a Tandem-Rotor Helicopter in Proximity to a Ship
2004
24 pages
Report
No indication
English