: The rotor force parameters considered were thrust, torque, pitching moment, and normal force, for the simulated flight conditions of hover, takeoff, and landing. The flow parameters investigated included tip vortex trajectories and streamline patterns. Additional studies were made to consider the effects of rotor blade mismatching upon thrust and power requirements of a rotor system. (Author)

: Wind or rotorwash generated by rotors, ducts, or jets effect the operational suitability and utility of future Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. As the aircraft s physical size, weight, and disk loading increases beyond the range of current systems, the risk increases that rotorwash operational impact(s) may compromise an aircraft s ability to satisfy the Warfighter's needs. Early definition of anticipated rotorwash conditions will permit an assessment of operational suitability and determine whether specific design changes are warranted and/or if acceptable operational tactics, techniques, and procedures can be established. This report documents the assessment process, environmental limits, rotorwash modeling, and output display supporting the rotorwash operational footprint model. These elements graphically combine to display the rotorwash operational impact assessment on the ground environment as contour plots or footprints. The tools developed are for the single main rotor helicopter, tandem helicopter, and tiltrotor configurations, but they can be extended to encompass additional configurations. The rotorwash operational footprint displays the effect of winds generated by rotor thrust on the surrounding environment. These footprints can be used to evaluate compliance with aircraft performance specifications, verify safe separation distances, or inform design trade studies.

An experimental investigation of rotor forces and flow field in the vicinity of a step ground plane

Citations

Rotorwash Operational Footprint Modeling

References

Rotorwash Operational Footprint Modeling

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