Mach-Scale High-Speed Tilt-rotor Test Rig
Abstract
The proposal is to develop a Mach-scale, hub-interchangeable, powered, semi-span tilt-rotor testrig at the University of Maryland for full flight envelope testing (hover, conversion, forward flight)at the Glenn L. Martin wind tunnel. It will support the development of next-generation high-speedrotorcraft as envisioned by DoD~s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) / Joint Multi-Role (JMR) programs.The research conducted will focus on increasing whirl-flutter margins and improving high-speedperformance for target speeds of 350 knots and higher. The current solution (for a much lowerspeed) is a stiff-inplane gimbaled hub with positive pitch-flap coupling (negative ~3) and a verythick (25% chord) stiff wing, both of which, due to their weight and compressibility dragundermine the true high-speed potential. The proposed rig will be used to test advanced hubs,wings, mounts and power-trains to identify benefits and validate high-fidelity analysis. Presently,no US university has a powered tilt-rotor test rig. The proposed rig will be unique and serve as acornerstone for high-quality, hands-on, tilt-rotor research and education.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612606
Entities
People
- Anubhav Datta
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Maryland