Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-18T04:57:37.667Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The compound helicopter — why have we not succeeded before?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

M. N. Orchard  and
S. J. Newman
M. N. Orchard
Affiliation:
Department of Aeronautics and AstronauticsUniversity of SouthamptonSouthampton, UK
S. J. Newman
Affiliation:
Department of Aeronautics and AstronauticsUniversity of SouthamptonSouthampton, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Compounding offers a way of advancing the performance of the standard helicopter significantly for a moderate increase in complexity through the addition of wings and/or auxiliary propulsion. The compound helicopter configuration has the potential advantages of increased speed, range, agility, productivity and reduced vibration levels over conventional helicopters. Despite several significant efforts, however, no compound helicopter has ever been put into production. This paper looks at three aircraft that came close to being accepted by operators and examines the reasons why they were not ultimately put into production. The cancellation of these projects appeared to be of a political nature rather than technical. Also addressed are the issues that still face prospective designers of compound helicopters and the lessons that can be extracted and applied to modern day efforts to build and sell an aircraft of this configuration.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 103 , Issue 1028 , October 1999 , pp. 489 - 495
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1999 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Balmford, D.E.H. The compound helicopter — a concept revisited, 17th European Rotorcraft and Powered Lift Forum, 1991.Google Scholar
Casci, C. and Bianchi, E. New trends for high-speed helicopter propulsion, AGARD31stConferenceproceedings—HelicopterPropulsion Systems, June 1968.Google Scholar
Dumond, R.C. and Simon, D.R. Flight investigation of design features of the S-67 winged helicopter, 28th American Helicopter Society Annual National Forum, 1972.Google Scholar
Jordan, T., Humpherson, D.V. and Benoer, B.S. The compound helicopter — the rotorcraft for the 21st century?, 49th American Helicopter Society National Forum, May 1993.Google Scholar
Fairey correspondence and records, RAF Museum Archives, Hendon.Google Scholar
Fradenburgh, E.A. The First 50 Years Were Fine… But What Should We do for an Encore? — The 1994 Alexander A. Nikolsky Lecture, J Amer Heli Soc, January 1994, 39, (1).Google Scholar
Hlslop, G.S. The Fairey Rotodyne, J Heli Assoc Great Britain, 1959,13.Google Scholar
Humpherson, D.V. Compound interest — a dividend for the future, AGARD Conference Proceedings 592 — Advances in Rotorcraft Technology, 1996.Google Scholar
Johnson, J.N., Bender, G.L., Mcclennan, R.D., Burden, J.R. and Larsen, M.E.Attack helicopter evaluation AH-56A Cheyenne compound helicopter, USAASTA-72-08, June 1972.Google Scholar
Lynn, R.R. Promise of compounding, J Amer Heli Soc, January 1967,12, (1).Google Scholar
Mccutcheon, R. S-67 flight test program, 28th American Helicopter Society Annual National Forum, 1972. Mckenzie, K.T. Aerodynamic aspects of the Fairey Rotodyne, / Heli Assoc Great Britain, January 1960.Google Scholar
Polmar, N. Military Helicopters of the World Since 1917, Arms and Armour Press, 1981.Google Scholar
Prouty, R W. and Yackle, A.R. The Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne — Lessons learned, AIAA Aircraft Systems Design Meeting, AIAA 92- 4278, August 1992.Google Scholar
Taylor, M.J. History of Helicopters, Hamlyn Publishing, 1984.Google Scholar
Van Der Harten, R.J. An operators viewpoint on future rotorcraft R&D criteria, 4th European Rotorcraft and Powered Lift Aircraft Forum. September 1978.Google Scholar
Sikorsky's thoughts on VTOL transports, Interavia, July 1970, 25.Google Scholar
Taylor, J.W.R. (Ed) Jane's all the Worlds Aircraft, 1961-1962, Sampson Low, Marston, 1961.Google Scholar