Development of next-generation rotorcraft

Introduction
Rotor aircraft, including helicopters and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)
aircraft, have played a significant role in various industries, including
transportation, defense, and emergency services. This report aims to provide a
comprehensive analysis of the future of rotor aircraft.
Key features of future Rotorcraft :
High-speed and long range
• Compound configurations
• Tilt-rotor system
Quiet flight
• Low-noise blade
• Distributed electric propulsion (DEP)
Autonomous flight

Recent Research topics and its importance

 Efficient and reasonably accurate simulations

 Multi-disciplinary and multi-fidelity simulations

 Modelling of all rotorcraft configurations (e.g.,

helicopter, compound helicopter, UAM, etc.)

 Coupling with high-fidelity computational model

 Coupling with new analysis architecture (e.g.,

icing, IR/RCS, etc.)

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To develop the next generation of rotorcrafts , engineers and researchers need to optimise on the
following aspects :

1. Aerodynamics and Flight Mechanics Analysis

▪ Detailed aerodynamic analysis to optimize rotorcraft design for improved efficiency,

maneuverability, and stability.

▪ Comprehensive flight mechanics analysis to understand rotorcraft behavior under

different flight conditions, including hover, forward flight, and autorotation.

1. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modelling:

▪ Utilization of advanced CFD techniques to simulate and analyze airflow around rotor
systems, enabling optimization of rotor blade design and reducing aerodynamic drag and
noise.

2. Structural Analysis and Optimization:

▪ Structural analysis to ensure rotorcraft integrity, reliability, and safety under various
loads and operating conditions.

▪ Implementation of advanced optimization algorithms to minimize weight and maximize

structural strength, leading to improved performance and fuel efficiency.
3. Autonomous Features and Ergonomics:

▪ Conducting human factors studies to optimize cockpit layout, controls, and displays for
improved pilot situational awareness, workload management, and overall safety.

▪ Analysis of human-machine interfaces (HMI) to enhance the usability and effectiveness

of rotorcraft systems, including advanced avionics and autonomous features.

5. Power Systems and Propulsion Analysis:

▪ Thorough analysis of power systems, including engines, electric motors, and energy
storage, to optimize power-to-weight ratios, efficiency, and range.

▪ Assessment of different propulsion configurations, such as hybrid-electric or distributed

propulsion systems, to identify the most suitable solutions for specific rotorcraft
applications.

6. Noise Analysis and Reduction Techniques:

▪ In-depth noise analysis using advanced acoustic modelling and simulation techniques to
understand and mitigate rotorcraft noise emissions.

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 ▪ Development and implementation of noise reduction technologies, including active
noise control, improved rotor blade designs, and sound-absorbing materials.

By focusing on these analytical and scientific requirements, researchers and engineers can
drive the development of the next generation of rotorcraft, pushing the boundaries of
performance, efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Multidisciplinary and complex nature of rotorcraft problems

• Rotor performance, trim analysis, blade motion and wake dynamics

• Structural loads, aeroelastic stability, vibration and noise

• Flight dynamics, stability and control

• Interactions between components and between disciplines

• Interactions with the environment (e.g., ground, buildings and ships)

Comprehensive analysis requirements

• Capability to perform multidisciplinary computations

• Capability to analyze all operating conditions: Hover, level flight, axial (climb and descent) flight,
maneuvering flight

• Capability to handle all rotorcraft configurations: Conventional rotorcraft including main and tail
rotors

• Tandem rotor, coaxial rotor, tiltrotor, compound helicopter

• Wingless (multicopter) and winged (lift+cruise, vectored thrust) UAM

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Toward next-generation comprehensive analysis

• Hierarchy architecture from low- to high-fidelity

models

• Coupling with CFD/CSD using high performance

computing

• High-fidelity modeling of structural model and

composites

• Capability to consider interaction with the

environment

• Capability to handle new rotorcraft configurations

• Permit a new analysis architecture (e.g., icing, IR/RCS,

etc.)

AERODYNAMIC MODEL

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Recent Research topics related to the computational study or experiments
Hybrid vortex methods
NVLM/VPM/CFD coupling method

• Hybrid Lagrangian-Eulerian approach* for simulating the flow field around UAM

• Yields an efficient and accurate aerodynamic analysis tool, which supports the aeroacoustic
analysis of UAM

• Rotor blade: Nonlinear vortex lattice method (NVLM)

• Rotor wake: Vortex particle method (VPM)

• Fuselage and flow-field: RANS-based CFD method

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Validation of NVLM/VPM/CFD coupling method
ROBIN model

• Four-bladed rectangular rotor with radius (R) of 0.86 m

• Generic helicopter fuselage

• Rectangular planform with linear twist of -8°

• NACA0012 airfoil section

Flow conditions

• Advance ratio: 𝜇𝜇 = 0.151

• Tip Mach number: Mtip = 0.53

Validation of NVLM/VPM/CFD coupling method

• Predicting the surface pressure of ROBIN model

• Advance ratio: 𝜇𝜇 = 0.151

• Target thrust coefficients: CT = 0.0090

• Collective pitch angle: 𝜃𝜃 = 12°

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Validation of NVLM/VPM/CFD coupling method
Predicting the wake structures for different advance ratios

• Advance ratio: 𝜇𝜇 = 0.051, 0.151, 0.232

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with ducted fan

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