TsAGI and Rosteck test full scale 3 blade rotor for new light multi-purpose helicopter with coaxial rotors

press release




Specialists of the Zhukovsky Central AeroHydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI, a member of the National Research Center “Zhukovsky Institute”) together with the Design bureau “VR-Technologies” of the Russian Helicopters (State Corporation Rostec) conducted the second stage testing of the VRT500 rotor, (the VRT 500 is the light multi-purpose helicopter with coaxial rotors).

The full-scale hingeless rotor model was tested in the largest Europe wind tunnel — the TsAGI’s subsonic wind tunnel. The Institute’s scientists studied the behavior of the model at speeds up to 136 km/h during the tests. The collective pitch angle was varied within the functional range, at the same time there were applied longitudinal design and lateral control systems. Specialists continuously recorded the measured data, including forces and the moments affecting the model in general, and loads for the three sections of one of the blades.

The experiment confirmed the previously calculated aerodynamics and aeroelasticity of the rotor and its blades. The results will help to clarify flight characteristics of the helicopter. “The VRT500 project’s tests were successful and turned out to be very interesting for us,” noted Oleg Kirillov, the Chief of the Department of aerodynamics and dynamics of helicopters. “First of all, we tested a full-scale model, and it was already a unique situation. Secondly, we had to deal with a hingeless rotor model. The design of this kind has been poorly studied in Russia yet; it was only used for the ‘Ansant’ helicopter. These works appeared to be exceptionally relevant to the development of the research competencies and design of hingeless rotors in TsAGI.”

The VRT500 is a light single-engine helicopter with twin three-blade coaxial rotors. Its takeoff weight is 1600 kg. The machine has the largest-in-its-class passenger/cargo cabin for up to 5 people and is equipped with a modern, interactive avionics complex. Its flight characteristics enable the helicopter to reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, flying at a distance of up to 860 km, taking on-board up to a 730 kg payload. The helicopter is intended for passenger, multi-purpose, commercial, educational, VIP and medical operations.