Mission and concept evaluation for a multirole, mission-adaptable air vehicle

✍ Scribed by V.L. Wells; J.W. Rutherford; A.M. Corgiat

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 651 KB
• Volume: 2
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1369-8869
• DOI: 10.1016/s1369-8869(99)00003-8

✦ Synopsis

The paper describes the results from a concept exploration study to assess the feasibility of a modular/recon"gurable rotorcraft designated the `multirole, mission-adaptable air vehicle (MRMAAV)a. The initial phase of the study consisted of developing mission and operational requirements for the vehicle. This phase resulted in the assessment that the aircraft should be considered primarily an attack vehicle but with the capability, through recon"guration, for performing several alternate missions. Evaluation of several high-speed rotorcraft concepts led to the selection of two platform con"gurations for further study. These included the variable-diameter compound helicopter (VDCH) and the joined-wing tilt rotor (JWTR). Detailed sizing e!orts focused on the VDCH as the more feasible of the two concepts. Innovative aspects of the air vehicle include variable-diameter main rotor, turboshaft/turbofan convertible engine, virtual-canopy cockpit, and recon"gurable payload bay. The mission-equipment package is highlighted by an autonomous remote sensor platform. The study identi"es areas which best lend themselves to a modular or recon"gurable design approach and describes in detail a candidate vehicle meeting the MRMAAV objectives.