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Sikorsky demo vibration suppression system for helicopters

A hub-mounted suppressor to reduce vibration on helicopters has been successfully demonstrated by Sikorsky and the LORD Corporation as part of a U.S. Army project.

By Richard Tomkins
A suppressor by Sikorsky and the LORD Corporation lessened vibrations on a Black Hawk helicopter. (U.S, Army photo/Richard C. Marshall)
A suppressor by Sikorsky and the LORD Corporation lessened vibrations on a Black Hawk helicopter. (U.S, Army photo/Richard C. Marshall)

MONTREAL, May 21 (UPI) -- A hub-mounted vibration suppressor for helicopters has successfully completed a flight demonstration conducted by Sikorsky Aircraft and the LORD Corporation.

The demonstration, announced the American Helicopter Society's 70th Annual Forum and Technology Display in Canada, took place the U.S. Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate at Fort Eustis, Va., in March as part of the Active Rotor Component Demonstration program, a joint project by the two companies and the Army.

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"The HMVS reduced helicopter empty weight and dramatically reduced vibrations," said Mark Miller, Sikorsky's vice president of Research & Engineering. "We would expect both crew endurance and aircraft reliability to increase substantially under this new technology."

Sikorsky said the test involved the use of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and included progression from a hover to a flying speed of 150 knots, as well as auto-rotations and 60-degree angle-of-bank turns.

The HMVS suppressed the largest vibratory loads near the main rotor hub.

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