ABC™ Development Status and Design Considerations for Several Military Applications

The Advancing Blade Concept (ABC™) is the product of a 15-year research and development program, the last seven years of which have included the successful flight test program of the XH-59A Demonstrator. Design studies addressing specific missions indicate that ABC designs are attractive for missions requiring good hover and loiter efficiencies, shipboard or restricted area compatibility, low speed maneuverability and one-engine-inoperative capability, low downwash velocities, compatibility with a variety of sensors and weapons, and speeds in the range of 200 to 300 knots.