JAXA: Challenge to develop the world’s fastest helicopter: Propellers on both ends of the main wing
JAXA: The fastest helicopter in the world
Traditional helicopter:
The design is a combination of a large main rotor at the top of the fuselage and a tail rotor at the tail that keeps the fuselage oriented.
However, with this design, even high-speed aircraft are limited to 150 knots (278 kilometers per hour).
JAXA high-speed helicopter:
JAXA will develop an efficient (low fuel consumption) high-speed helicopter.
We aim to achieve a speed of 500 kilometers per hour, which is faster than the aircraft under development in Europe and the United States.
We would like to develop the world’s fastest doctor helicopter so that emergency medical care can be delivered within 15 minutes from existing base hospitals throughout Japan.
“Anti-torque” propeller:
Electrically driven “anti-torque” propellers are attached to both ends of the main wing.
Propose an aircraft with a unique concept.
Anti-torque is a reaction to the rotation of the main rotor, which prevents the aircraft from rotating in the reverse direction.
The maximum power required is about 10% of the main rotor, so a lightweight, small motor and propeller are sufficient.
Propeller for high-speed forward flight:
The propulsion propeller required for high-speed forward flight is attached to the tail.
Achieves high-speed forward flight with the same drive system as the tail rotor of a conventional helicopter.
Regarding flight:
Conventional helicopter:
Tilt the rotating surface of the main rotor forward to obtain propulsion.
Therefore, the fuselage also leans forward and the front resistance area increases.
JAXA helicopter:
JAXA helicopters mainly use the main rotor to maintain the attitude of the aircraft.
Efficient high-speed flight is possible while maintaining the attitude of the aircraft almost horizontally.
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