"Smooth" and "quiet" are two words not usually associated with a helicopter ride, but NASA is working to change that. A full-size UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter rotor was the subject of tests the agency's Subsonic Rotary Wing Project recently completed in collaboration with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.
The test series, conducted from January to May 2010, was designed to gather data on the rotor blades and air movement that the blades create. Since most helicopter noise and vibration can be blamed on the interactions between the blades and the air, the data will be extremely valuable to rotor researchers trying to understand these effects. Ultimately, the data gathered in the tests can be used to design advanced helicopters in the future.
“NASA hopes to make those new designs quieter, faster, more fuel efficient, and capable of carrying more people and cargo,” said Tom Norman, the researcher for the project test team. The test included routine flight conditions for the rotor, but also explored what happens if the rotor system is operated above and beyond its normal flight conditions. This included testing at very high speed and at conditions designed to simulate a much heavier helicopter, and provided data that will help NASA design helicopters that can fly faster speeds and carry more payload.
The test series, conducted from January to May 2010, was designed to gather data on the rotor blades and air movement that the blades create. Since most helicopter noise and vibration can be blamed on the interactions between the blades and the air, the data will be extremely valuable to rotor researchers trying to understand these effects. Ultimately, the data gathered in the tests can be used to design advanced helicopters in the future.
“NASA hopes to make those new designs quieter, faster, more fuel efficient, and capable of carrying more people and cargo,” said Tom Norman, the researcher for the project test team. The test included routine flight conditions for the rotor, but also explored what happens if the rotor system is operated above and beyond its normal flight conditions. This included testing at very high speed and at conditions designed to simulate a much heavier helicopter, and provided data that will help NASA design helicopters that can fly faster speeds and carry more payload.
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