1979-02-01

Single Rotor Options for Heavy Lift and Potential of Multi Lift 791087

After 30 years of continual rotor-craft payload capacity growth, there are strong indications that this trend is leveling off. First, this paper reviews the current state-of-the-art to show that the root of the problem is not any unsurmountable technical barrier and briefly discusses the single rotor options for heavier lift as illustrated by growth derivatives of the CH-53E as well as by the Sikorsky response to the Army HLH proposal. Secondly, it examines the economic factors which appear to have militated, up to this point, against development of larger helicopters for either civil or military requirements.
Finally, the paper considers the opportunities to solve the problem of occasional requirements for very heavy lift of single piece payloads by the harnessing of two or more helicopters to a single load - the so called multi-lift concept. The history of Sikorsky studies and flight feasibility demonstrations are reviewed, and the opportunities for applying advanced control technology to offset the pilot workload problems identified in these demonstrations are discussed.

SAE MOBILUS

Subscribers can view annotate, and download all of SAE's content. Learn More »

Access SAE MOBILUS »

Members save up to 16% off list price.
Login to see discount.
Special Offer: Download multiple Technical Papers each year? TechSelect is a cost-effective subscription option to select and download 12-100 full-text Technical Papers per year. Find more information here.
We also recommend:
TECHNICAL PAPER

An Electromechanical Actuator Technology Development Program

780581

View Details

TECHNICAL PAPER

The Aircraft Regenerative Turbine Engine: Where Now?

640805

View Details

TECHNICAL PAPER

Effect of Temperature on Endurance Limit and Relaxation of Spring Materials

540263

View Details

X