STRATFORD, Conn., May 3 (UPI) -- Sikorsky Innovations, with joint U.S. Army funding, has completed wind tunnel testing of its active rotor system equipped with high authority flaps.
"The AATD/Sikorsky Active Rotor Team has accomplished a lofty goal: to demonstrate the functionality of a trailing edge flap and closed loop control system," said Chris Van Buiten, director of Sikorsky Innovations. "The system performed extremely well over a variety of forward flight conditions up to 140 knots."
"We have validated the concept of properly controlled, high authority flaps to favorably impact external rotor noise and vibration," added Jim Kagdis, program manager for Sikorsky Advanced Programs. "Our test results show reductions in vibration, rotor hub and controls loading and a reduced acoustic emission."
The completion of the testing provides valuable data to guide future programs such as the U.S. Defense Advance Research Project Agency's Mission Adaptable Rotor programs.
Development partners on the project are United Technologies Research Center for the blades, and Hamilton Sundstrand Claverham for the high authority flap actuators.
Wind Tunnel Testing was accomplished at the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex located at Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California.
Additional details weren't disclosed.
