Advanced Technology Rotor - On 26 April 2006, the new 5-bladed ATR (Advanced Technology Rotor) performed its maiden flight in Donauwörth, Germany on an EC145 demonstrator.

The 5-bladed Advanced Technology Rotor perfectly meets the needs of helicopters in the four metric ton class, and has been developed to improve significantly the comfort level and the flight qualities of aircraft. The ATR consists of an extremely light and compact hub, without hinges or bearings, which therefore means much less wear.

The mechanical components are now made from composite materials, which do not require maintenance. Another specific feature of the ATR is its construction, in which the blade is separated from the root. The advantages of this modular concept are twofold: quick rotor folding and the possibility to replace the blades and adapt them to specific missions by increasing the diameter of the blade or improving its aerodynamic profile.

Furthermore, thanks to its 5-bladed configuration, the ATR transmits less vibration to the airframe, which improves passenger comfort and reduces the aircraft weight as dampers are rendered superfluous. The fuel consumption and external noise level reductions also make the ATR a particularly environmental-friendly rotor assembly. “The new 5-bladed ATR combines the most up-to-date technology in the world with an aerodynamic configuration that offers the best performances while reducing noise emission to an absolute minimum,” concludes Marius Bebesel, the manager of the Vehicle Technology & Materials program at Eurocopter.