Helicopter technology of the future

The revolution in the helicopter industry is promising to launch super-fast helicopters, unmanned helicopters and super-safe helicopters.

Super-speed helicopters are the key to making the revolution. US, Russian and European helicopters are all paying attention to investing in super-fast helicopter manufacturing projects that are able to overcome the current 350 km per hour speed limit.

Pioneers X2

Sikorsky Aircraft, the world's leading helicopter manufacturer, pioneered this field. In June 2005, they proposed a project to develop a combination of technologies called X2 TECHNOLOGY to manufacture super-fast helicopters. X2 technologies can give helicopters unprecedented new capabilities, not only doubling speed, but also improving other flight features such as high flying, maneuverability and small noise.

X2 Technology super speed helicopter model.Photo: gizmag

The inherent limitations of conventional helicopters cannot fly fast. Helicopters with a rotor fan tend to swing at high speeds because the blades of the rotor when reversed lose their lift. Therefore, Sikorsky Aircraft selected the solution to use the design of two rotors of coaxial rotor rotated in opposite directions for the X2 test demonstration model to balance the lift force due to the wing blades turning on each side, creating force Steadily lifting on both sides, at the same time, the X2 tail is also fitted with a tail propeller to create maximum thrust, the engine's capacity is divided between the main rotor and the tail propeller set.

X2 is a multitasking helicopter, able to meet the future requirements of both the US Army and Special Forces with various combat missions such as landing, armed reconnaissance, close-range reinforcements, Search and rescue combat and unmanned applications, as well as can be used as passenger helicopters.

X2 is a multitasking helicopter.Photo: fightglobal.com

Model light tactical helicopter (LTH) demonstrating X2 technology for the first time on August 27, 2008. This 30-minute flight opened the X2 test flight program. On May 4, 2009, Sikorsky publicly displayed the model X2 TECHNOLOGY LTH. X2 will be the fastest speed helicopter in the world today, 460 km per hour, fly faster than the AH-64 Apache helicopter helicopter 147 km an hour and nearly twice as fast as the UH-60 Black Hawk which has a speed of 250 km per hour.

Helicopters fly at a speed of 800 km per hour

Russian helicopter industry considers the development of advanced helicopters, including futuristic super-helicopters as one of its priorities and success in this field will determine their position for 10 years. come and help them achieve the ambition to increase market share in the world market from 2-4% currently to 15% before 2015. Not to be outdone with Sikorsky Aircraft, the famous Russian helicopter companies are MVZ Mil and Kamov It is also urgently pushing for the new generation super-speed helicopter project, which is twice as fast as modern helicopters.

Model Ka-90 super speed helicopter.Photo: missiles

At the Heli International Helicopter Exhibition Russia-2008 (May 15-17, 2008), the Russian design institutes Mil and Kamov introduced three future super-speed helicopter models, Mi-Х1, Ка-92. and Ка-100 (also called Ка-90). In particular, the 'helicopter-type flight device' carrying super-speed Ka-90 passengers with a bipolar jet engine can fly at a supreme speed for helicopters of more than 800 km per hour.

Russia's future helicopters will have speeds comparable to airplanes that are not less than 500 km per hour by using a new control system (propeller that pushes modified traction vectors) and improved propellers. Currently, Russia has studied to shape the appearance and main parameters of future helicopters in two medium-class (8-10 ton) and heavyweight (15 ton) types with the participation of MVZ Mil and Kamov. . Both projects are in pre-feasibility studies. After adjusting the parameters and assessments, Russia will choose to take a project to conduct the experimental helicopter construction within 7 years. The Ka-90 and Mi-X1 projects continue to be introduced at the HeliRussia-2009 exhibition that took place from 21-23 May 2009.

RUMAS-245 helicopter 'parachute'

In the field of helicopter manufacturing, Russians are known for their unique ideas such as coaxial two-rotor helicopters (Kamov helicopters), helicopters with driver-release mechanisms (Ka-50, Ka-52 ) and now the RUMAS-245 'parachute' helicopter. Also at the HeliRussia-2009 Exhibition, Company OOO 'Russia's Maslov Design Institute' introduced the RUMAS-245 super-safety helicopter with an active passenger rescue system.

Engineers introduced the RUMAS-245 parachute helicopter model.Photo: kbmaslova.ru

Structurally, RUMAS-245 is a two-engine helicopter, consisting of a cabin carrying 5 people (one pilot) and a fuselage body; The cabin and fuselage can be separated from each other and are fitted with rescue systems. When falling into a state of emergency, the pilot simply activates the active rescue system, which is the cabin separated from the helicopter body, the system whether mounted on both the cabin and the helicopter body has split apart to help both parts wing safe to the ground.

Thus, the helicopter's cabin can turn into a rescue compartment for passengers and pilots. The first prototype fabrication was started and the first helicopter with the rescue compartment RUMAS-245 will be born before 2010.