Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FRCDoorDemonstrator (Flightworthy Flush Lightweight doors for unpressurized Fast Rotorcraft)

Teaser

The FRCDoorsDemonstrator project is aiming to contribute 4 door systems to the high-speed helicopter demonstrator of Airbus Helicopters (RACER). FRCDoorDemonstrator has the objective to design, size, manufacture and deliver the different door systems both in Mock-up...

Summary

The FRCDoorsDemonstrator project is aiming to contribute 4 door systems to the high-speed helicopter demonstrator of Airbus Helicopters (RACER). FRCDoorDemonstrator has the objective to design, size, manufacture and deliver the different door systems both in Mock-up demo-version and in final flightworthy configuration. It is issue to take aerodynamic configuration, highly ambitious weight and power targets as well as emission reduction targets into account and hence to achieve increased speed and reduced emissions and noise in future helicopter with enhanced lightweight design strategies.
The FRCDoorsDemonstrator project and the final RACER helicopter are important for society as with this novel high speed and long range helicopter system it is possible to run longer rescue missions, to cover bigger flight distances and to significantly reduce emissions.
The RACER project and hence also of the FRCDoorsDemonstrator project is aiming to produce / contribute to a high-speed helicopter demonstrator. It has the objective of refining the compound aerodynamic configuration to achieve increased speed and reduced emissions and noise in future helicopter with enhanced lightweight design strategies.

Work performed

Since start of the project, the design of 4 door systems have been designed along pre-concept investigations of Airbus Helicopters, along existing knowledge from X3 project of AH in the past, and to always consider boundary constraints coming from aerodynamic-, weight-, power-,emission-, efficiency and sustainability targets. The design of the 4 door systems have been accompanied by various concept studies, sizing loops, and feasibility studies as well as a weight saving campaign with a request for optimization of parts and geometries.

Final results

The weight and efficiency targets of RACER are very ambitious. With state-of-the-art design and manufacturing concepts it would not be possible to meet envisaged overall performance tasks of such a helicopter. The combined approach of new flight concept together with high performance low weight carbon composite manufacturing technology for the major primary structures including the doors will contribute to reaching the final flightworthy high performance helicopter. It is expected result at the end of the project to provide flightworthy doors which stand all required loads and which meet the given specifications.