Development of High-Performance Rotary-Wing VTOL Aircraft

This paper summarizes the programs for, and some of the results of, the Army's continuing effort in the development of high performance rotary wing VTOL aircraft. The objective of this continuing effort is to:

1. 1.
   Increase the state of the art of rotary wing aircraft by providing advanced measured design data.
2. 2.
   Validate by flight tests the design concepts that indicate marked improvements.
3. 3.
   Provide recommendations for increasing the capability of all future Army rotary wing aircraft.

Some of the results and conclusions from the High Performance Helicopter Program and the Exploratory Development Compound Program are presented. In addition, the Advanced High Speed Rotary Wing Aircraft (Composite)Program is outlined.