Page 13 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2014 Online Magazine

INTERVIEW TURKISH AIRLINES

Sikorsky VTOL
X-Plane Concept

unmanned ‘Rotor Blown Wing’ concept. company’s chances in the programme capacity demanded by DARPA. This
The company says that the “Rotor Blown stating that “This program explores a is achieved by tight integration of its
Wing represents a unique integration of generation of innovation that has yet to be propulsion systems into the air vehicle’s
fixed wing aerodynamics and advanced introduced, and we have the opportunity aerodynamic design. Karem Aircraft on
rotor control to provide a low complexity to develop our novel design of the X-Plane the other hand, specializes in fixed and
configuration capable of meeting the concept with our partner at Skunk Works. rotary wing aircraft prototyping, advanced
challenging DARPA program goals.” It is an exciting project, and we are thrilled design, and tilt-rotor transport aircraft
Sikorsky Innovations and Skunk Works to be among the contract winners.” and has earlier supported US Department
will now conduct trade studies and Amongst the other two finalists, of Defense (DoD) programmes such as
develop the initial design, during Phase 1 Aurora Flight Sciences is offering Joint Heavy Lift (JHL) and Joint Future
of the programme. ‘LightningStrike’ that is designed for Theater Lift (JFTL).
Chris VanBuiten, Vice President of efficient hover and high speed, to cater VTOL-X Plane now moves forward
Sikorsky Innovations is confident of the for the performance and useful load towards the next major milestone for
the programme, scheduled for late next
year (2015). The program is divided
into three phases across a period 52
months with a planned budget of USD
130 million. Phase 1 is divided into Phase
1A and Phase 1B, the former a 6 month
conceptual design effort and the later a 16
month preliminary design and technology
maturation effort. DARPA says that “After
Phase 1, a single award is anticipated for
aircraft development and flight test in
Phases 2 and 3.”
Current designs pushing the VTOL
envelope, are really only fast helicopters
or fixed wing aircraft that can land
vertically. The VTOL X-Plane program
on the other hand looks to demonstrate
DARPA’S VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING EXPERIMENTAL novel concepts and configurations,
PLANE (VTOL X-PLANE) LOOKS TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE IN technologies and detailed sub-system
FOUR AREAS: designs. This could help overcome the
speed: Achieve a top sustained flight speed (true airspeed) of 300 kt-400 kt. fundamental issues that have dogged
Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor can achieve a maximum of 280 kts existing VTOL designs, preventing it from
hover efficiency: Raise hover efficiency from 60 percent to at least 75 percent
cruise efficiency: Present a more favorable cruise lift-to-drag ratio of at least becoming the true replacement to the
10 (up from 5-6 at present) helicopter. The winning VTOL X-Plane
useful load capacity: Maintain the ability to perform useful work by carrying could lead to a successor that finally
a useful load of at least 40 percent (4,000-4,800 pounds) of vehicle’s projected delivers on the promise of VTOL with
gross weight of 10,000-12,000 pounds. more speed, range and higher payload
with less complexity.
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