Rotor Torque

Currently state owned, Mil Helicopters has been directed to prepare plans for privatisation.

In addition, IROQUOIS FOR PNG Despite controversy over the allegation that the four Iroquois helicopters given to PNG by Australia in 1989 had been used as gunships against Bougainville secessionists, a fifth aircraft is to be supplied to replace one of the original four no longer flying.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Evans in a recent press statement, confirmed that he has received written and verbal assurances from the PNG Minister for Defence, Mr Paul Tohian that the aircraft would not be used in an offensive role.

Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche Prospects Improve.

In a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee, the US Defense Secretary, Dick Cheney has indicated that the go ahead for the Comanche scout/attack helicopter to proceed to production will be given if the aircraft’s development is successful.

This is on the assumption that the programme is on schedule for costs and performance. It is expected that 1300 Comanche helicopters would replace the 3000 ageing scout/attack helicopters presently in service.

The Senate Armed Services Committee had previously decided to remove all funding for the scout/attack helicopter from its 1993 defence budget, arguing that an advanced aircraft should be based on the Comanche technology. Meanwhile the House Armed Services and Appropriation Committees had previously approved full funding for the Comanche programme.

Despite the Senate opposition, this latest development in the Comanche saga should see the aircraft move closer to production.

McDonnell Douglas to Rationalise Its Helicopter Division

McDonnell Douglas (MDC) is to seek a joint venture to develop its helicopter division, or failing that, will seek a qualified and appropriate buyer for it. This has come about as a part of the streamlining process which will see its six military businesses reduced to two groups.

MDC Company Chairman, John McDonnell, in commenting on the planned moves indicated that the company recognised that to be successful it had to become the number one, or number two Aerospace company worldwide. He went on to say that MDC could not achieve this on its own, hence the need to seek a joint venture partner.

In the first instance MDC will seek a US organisation as partner, but would be prepared to split its activities into civil and military components should this be necessary to enable a foreign company to join with it in commercial ventures.

MDC presently builds the AH-64 Apache and MD500 heli- copters which would tend to rule out Bell Helicopter as a I partner because of competing products, however Sikorsky and Boeing could be likely bedfellows.

V-22 Osprey Crash Investigation Probes Possible Fuel Starvation

Investigators are examining the possibility of fuel starvation being the cause of the crash of the second prototype V-22 tilt rotor aircraft in July.

The aircraft was within seconds of landing at the US Marine Corps air base Quantico, having flown from Eglin Airforce base in Florida, a distance of 665nm. Although it is understood that the aircraft reported about 20 minutes of fuel remaining shortly before the crash, and about 75 gallons were found in its tanks when recovered, there is a query as to whether this was usable.

A number of other factors are under investigation including the cockpit control layout which is configured more towards a fixed wing aircraft than a helicopter. The power lever is mounted in the lower console and operates forward for power and collective pitch increase in rotor borne flight. Rearward movement of the control in hover borne flight reduces power and pitch. The decision to configure the aircraft in this fashion was made early in the design phase.

At the same time as investigators are seeking to find the cause of the crash, proposals to reduce performance requirements for the US Marine Corps medium lift replacement aircraft are being examined. It is understood that the requirement could be reduced to 18 instead of 24 troops, 160-180kts instead of 300kts and offshore range reduced from 250mm to just 100nm.

Should these proposals be accepted, it would most likely sound the death knell for the V-22.

Canada to Purchase 50 Eh-101 Military Helicopters

The Canadian government has approved the acquisition of 50 EH-101 helicopters to replace the CAF’s Sea Kings in the shipborne maritime surveillance, and SAR roles.

The aircraft will be provided by E H Industries, a Westland/ Agusta joint venture and will be Canada’s third most expensive military procurement. The mission package is being developed by Paramax Systems Canada which is a Unisys Corp company.

The shipborne version of the EH-101 will operate from the new Canadian Patrol Frigates as well as four older destroyers and two replenishment ships. The 35 aircraft allocated for shipborne operations will be employed in the ASW and anti surface ship targeting roles, and will be equipped with FLIR, a high performance search radar and a dipping sonar. In addition the aircraft will be capable of carrying 24 sonobuoys and ASW torpedoes. The 15 SAR versions will be equipped with FLIR, a radar and homing receivers.

The purchase has not been without its problems as the Liberal opposition, whilst accepting that the EH-101 is the right aircraft, has been concerned at the massive project cost of $C4. 4m ($A4. 9m). The aircraft will be constructed by the Westland/Agusta partnership and delivered to Canada for engine and mission fit, with initial entry into service in 1998.

XV-15 Tilt Rotor Technology Demonstrator Crashes

Bell Helicopter’s XV-15 tilt rotor technology demonstration vehicle crashed on August 20, fortunately without injury to Bell’s chief pilot Ron Erhart and Eurocopter chief pilot Guy Dabadie.

The XV-15, one of two aircraft built to demonstrate the tilt rotor technology, was hovering at approximately 10m when it rolled to the right causing the right rotor to strike the ground. The aircraft came to rest on its back, fortunately no post accident fire developed and the two pilots managed to exit the aircraft through the cockpit emergency window.

Post accident investigation has established that the likely cause was the disconnection of the left hand prop rotor control rod due to a bolt coming loose. Evidently the bolt was found in the flight control deck nacelle but both the nut and cotter pin were missing. Flight recorder information supports the crew’s version of what happened, showing opposite stick and rudder inputs but with the aircraft continuing to roll to the right.

The crash has come at an unfortunate time for tilt rotor technology, following less than a month after the crash of the fourth test Bell Boeing V-22 with the loss of seven lives (refer V-22 item). The second XV-15 belongs to NASA but is no longer flying.

European NH 90 Helicopter Development Contract Signed

Problems reported in August 92 AA over the sharing of costs in the development of the NH 90 military utility helicopter have been resolved, with the recent signing of the design and development phase contract by the four countries concerned.

The contract was signed by the General Manager of NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency) on behalf of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands; and by the General Manager of NHI (NATO Helicopter Industries) representing Eurocopter France, Eurocopter Deutschland, Agusta and Fokker.

The NH 90 is being developed in two variants to meet army and navy requirements and will feature fly by wire flight controls, a low radar detection fuselage made of composite materials, and integrated avionics using multi function displays. The army version will have a crew of two pilots and will be mainly employed on all weather tactical transport and combat rescue missions.

The navy version will have a crew of three and will operate from both shore bases and frigate sized ships in ASW and anti ship operations.

The prototype is expected to fly in 1995.

Rotorway Exec 90 Progress Report

The Rotorway Exec 90 kit built helicopter reported in Sept AA had completed 34 hours test flying and development work at the time of going to press, with only minor engineering matters remaining to be attended to.

Certification is expected to be completed by the end of the year which will see the helicopter VH registered for private use. A full private helicopter licence will be a requirement to fly the aircraft which brings it into line with commercially built aircraft, but at about half the acquisition cost. In fact the purchase price for the kit is $US45,000 plus freight from the US. The Exec 90 features a steel tubing fuselage covered by an egg shaped glassfibre skin. The tail boom is of aluminium alloy monocoque construction and the aircraft sits on an extended twin skid undercarriage.

The teeter rotor system is controlled through dual push pull cables to a conventional swash plate, with the thrust retention system utilising an elastomeric bearing which provides for smooth flight with consequent reduction in pilot fatigue. Highlift asymmetrical rotor blades of aerofoil section have an aluminium alloy leading edge and internal spar covered by an aluminium skin. The blades are attached to the rotor head by retention straps.

As a measure of the size of the parent US organisation, the engine is Rotorway’s own R1 162 horizontally opposed, water cooled, four cylinder piston unit which produces around 150hp from 2. 66 litres at 4400rpm for a weight of 80kg.

As previously reported, the Exec 90 is the lead aircraft for the development of certification for amateur built helicopters in Australia, which when completed, should open up a whole new segment in helicopter operations in this country.