Manoeuvrability assessment of a hybrid compound helicopter configuration

Ferguson, K. and Thomson, D. (2014) Manoeuvrability assessment of a hybrid compound helicopter configuration. In: 40th European Rotorcraft Forum, Southampton, UK, 2-5 Sep 2014,

Abstract

The compound helicopter design could potentially satisfy the new emerging requirements placed on the next generation of rotorcraft. The main benefit of the compound helicopter is its ability to reach speeds that significantly surpass the conventional helicopter. However, it is possible that the compound helicopter design can provide additional benefits in terms of manoeuvrability. The paper features a conventional helicopter and a hybrid compound helicopter. The conventional helicopter features a standard helicopter design with a main rotor providing the propulsive and lifting forces, whereas a tail rotor, mounted at the rear of the aircraft provides the yaw control. The compound helicopter configuration, known as the hybrid compound helicopter, features both wing and thrust compounding. The wing offloads the main rotor at high speeds whereas two propellers provide additional axial thrust as well as yaw control. This study investigates the manoeuvrability of these two helicopter configurations using inverse simulation. The results predict that a hybrid compound helicopter configuration is capable of attaining greater load factors than its conventional counterpart, when flying a Pullup-Pushover manoeuvre. In terms of the Accel-Decel man oeuvre, the two helicopter configurations are capable of completing the manoeuvre in comparable time-scales. However, the addition of thrust compounding to the compound helicopter design reduces the pitch attitude required throughout the acceleration stage of the manoeuvre.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Thomson, Dr Douglas and Ferguson, Dr Kevin
• Authors: Ferguson, K., and Thomson, D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The Authors
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the publisher.