Rotor Torque

It is thought that residual hydraulic pressure in the operating system held the disks together sufficiently to cause a heat build up and the ultimate fire.

Flight testing of the remaining eight prototypes has resumed following the determination of the cause of the crash, however future production of the aircraft could be affected if the Canadians decide to cancel their order as outlined in this column last month.

Israel Aircraft Industries Enters Bell Uh-1 Upgrade Market

In the latest development in the ongoing Bell UH-1 upgrade saga, Israel Aircraft Industries has joined forces with Light Helicopter Turbine Engine (LHTEC) and Global Helicopter Technology, to market the Huey 800 powered by the LHTEC T800 gas turbine.

As previously reported (refer RT p82 March 93 AA), the T800 upgrade proposal does not offer an increase in AUW as do the Bell/Lycoming/Bogan Aerotech, and the UNC Helicopter proposals, which offer a substantial increase in payload. Rather, the marketing ploy is that an increase in performance will be achieved through the lighter weight of the T800 and its much improved fuel consumption figures.

An added incentive to adopt the T800 is that installation modifications are minimal and there is no requirement to upgrade the rotor system as power remains essentially the same. A conversion package will be offered in kit form for operators to undertake the conversion using their own facilities; this will no doubt be attractive to those who do not want to enter into a heavy upgrade programme.

It is understood that IAI will take the lead in terms of world wide marketing.

McDonnell Douglas Enters Unmanned Vtol Vehicle Competition

McDonnell Douglas has developed an unmanned VTOL aircraft which takes off in helicopter mode and then transitions to fixed wing flight using the rotor as a fixed wing.

The transition takes place at approximately 120kts (225km/h) and a maximum speed of 375kts (695km/h) is expected. First flight of the vehicle known as the canard rotor/wing (CRW) is scheduled for mid 1994, when it will be tested in the helicopter mode. It is expected that McDonnell Douglas will enter the CRW in the Defense Department’s VTOL/UAV competition, seeking part of the $US15m set aside by the Department for funding of the concept.

The CRW is expected to be put forward for consideration in the Future Air Attack Vehicle and USMC attack observation aircraft competitions. Should it be successful in getting up, it will be in competition with Bell Textron’s tilt rotor concept which may well decide the final path of the helicopter/fixed wing vehicle of the future.

Canadian Government Agency Considering Privatisation of Extensive Helo Fleet

Transport Canada, the Canadian transport ministry is presently examining the benefits of privatising its fleet of 33 helicopters in a bid to reduce costs.

It is understood that unsolicited proposals have been made by Eurocopter, and two Canadian helicopter operators, Canadian Helicopters and Cougar Helicopters to undertake the task. Observing the number of aircraft presently involved, which include Bell 212s, Bell 206s, BO 105s and one Sikorsky S-61, this would amount to a most attractive helicopter opera- tion.

In the light of Canada’s present political turmoil, no doubt any major cost savings would be viewed favourably by the government. Indications are however, that should Transport Canada decide there is merit in privatising, an open invitation to industry would be made.

Russian Helicopter Manufacturer Targets Western Market

In a show of confidence, Mil Helicopter has announced plans to develop two military and three commercial helicopters over the next four years. The civil helicopters are clearly targeted at Western markets as they are being designed from scratch to meet Western certification requirements.

In an unusual approach to light helicopter design, two of the new helicopters will be powered by Wankel rotary engines. The Mi-34VAZ, which is based on the Mi-34 will be powered by twin 230hp Wankels and will be marketed as a 1960kg four seater. The smaller (1150kg) Mi-52 is a new three seater design and will be powered by a single Wankel. The third civil type (4200kg gross) will be a twin turbine powered 12 seater, and is aimed at the Bell 412 and Sikorsky S-76 market. Interestingly, it will be offered in both Russian and Western powered versions.

Meanwhile the new Mi-28N all weather attack helicopter will be in the same class as the McDonnell Douglas AH-64D Long-bow Apache with an above rotor millimetre radar and should be flying within the next two years. The final machine, the Mi-40 is also of new design but will be a multirole combat helicopter with a passenger cabin rather like the Hind. It will utilise the Mi-28N’s systems and dynamic components and will follow on from the latter machine.

Australian Customs’ Future Surveillance Requirements Under Review

The Customs Service is presently undertaking an internal survey of the whole spectrum of its operations in order to determine its future requirements for surveillance.

The department does not operate its own aircraft, as those who have followed the series of debacles over which department should have responsibility for the surveillance of our territorial waters, and the legal case that followed the letting of a certain contract for the task, would be aware.

Whilst on face value, helicopters would appear to be a logical choice for inshore work, their operating costs put them out of consideration except for specific tasks and locations. One such area is the Torres Strait where a multitude of tasks demands the use of a helicopter on a daily basis.

The present helicopter contractor is City and Country which is based at Caloundra and operates an Aerospatiale 350B on the Customs tasks. This contract has another two years to run but in view of the long lead time involved in processing such contracts, requests for proposals (RFP) should be sought in November with a contract to be awarded in July 1994 for implementation in July the following year. (A major feature on the new coastwatch tender will appear in our October issue). In discussions with Customs it was pointed out that the aim was to define the task, not the solution, and hence helicopter size or type was more a matter for the successful tenderer.

However, the need to carry something like six radios to be able to communicate with all the various agencies, plus the need to be able to operate using night vision equipment, would appear to narrow the field of possible tenderers and associated aircraft.

Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322 to Commence Flight Trials in EH 101

Rolls-Royce Turbomeca’s RTM322 powerplant, one of Europe’s newest helicopter engines, is due to begin flight trials in one of the EH 101 prototypes, and shortly after in the EH 101 Merlin naval prototype.

The RTM’s first commercial success came late last year with a production order from IBM, the prime contractor to the UK Ministry of Defence, for RTM322 engines to power 44 EH 101 Merlin helicopters for the Royal Navy.

Total development engine running hours of the RTM322 presently exceed 12,000, including over 1300 hours in Rolls-Royce’s S-70C Black Hawk, based in Bristol and a US based SH-60 Seahawk helicopter.

Potential applications for the 2100-3000shp class engine include the new NH-90 utility, and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and variants of Sikorsky’s Hawk series.