The Research activities of the Eurocopter group are concentrated in six main areas. The most important projects that have resulted from these efforts will be reaching major milestones over the next two years. Rotor Journal takes a closer look at these innovations.

Creating Shorter Development Cycles for Helicopters

The Chance project, together with its successor Shanel, are being conducted in cooperation with the ONERA(1) and DLR(2) research centers. The goal of these projects is to simulate aerodynamic phenomena by creating a digital wind tunnel. Thanks to this work, the configuration validation tests in the actual wind tunnel will be better prepared and more precisely defined. Profiting from increasingly powerful computing capabilities, CFD(3) methods are being used to recreate all physical airflow phenomena on a computer.

Easier to Use

The two major European projects, Optimal and Giant, are currently underway in an attempt to increase the operating range of civil helicopters. One of the most important goals is to make it possible for helicopters to land at airports at the same time as airplanes without disturbing airline traffic. Demonstrations are to be held in Toulouse for the Optimal program. The Giant program is focused on emergency medical missions. It is intended to prove that it is possible to land directly on the roof of hospitals in complete safety in all weather conditions.

Keeping Busy in the Military Segment

A study has been launched with the French DGA on drones. Helicoptères Guimbal will be providing the basic vehicle and Eurocopter is responsible for the flight controls. Studies are also underway on an extremely heavy helicopter (30 to 40 metric tons), as the helicopters in this category that are currently in service are from an older generation.

Less Expensive to Manufacture

Studies to reduce the costs of the so-called “reliable and quiet” main gearbox have already resulted in the creation of a prototype.

Well Integrated in the Environment

The goal of the “high comfort helicopter” project, which is entering its final demonstration phase, is to reduce cabin noise and to improve the thermal and vibration levels. Eurocopter is acting as main contractor for the studies, which are co-financed by the Civil Aeronautics Program directorate. The program is scheduled to last four years, and will conclude by a flight campaign with an EC155 cabin in 2008. Two major innovations have been made to the vehicle. The first is the optimization of the blade forms to improve their performances and reduce noise and vibration levels. The other innovation activities concern the active control tests (reduced noise and vibrations) that began in 2005. They will be continued this year with closed-loop flights on the BK117. And in other work, the European program Friendcopter is establishing flight procedures to reduce the noise profile of the helicopter. Tests are to be held on the EC130 in 2006.

Looking to the Future

The test campaign is currently underway for the Pilas project, which will provide piloting aids in poor flying conditions for emergency medical services. The research will continue throughout 2006 and 2007. The French-German project “Nicetrip”, financed by the European Community, is studying convertiplane technology. The work, which will begin in late 2006, is scheduled to last four years.