Advance Technology Impacts on Rotorcraft Weight

Hughes Helicopters, Inc. is integrating several advance technologies into the LHX program, such as ARTI (Advanced Rotorcraft Technology Integration), NOTAR (No Tail Rotor) and composite materials. This paper presents a study of the impact of these and other advancements on the weight of the Army's AH-64A Advanced Attack Helicopter, a well-established current state-of-the-art vehicle. The study indicates that a projection of these advanced technologies on the AAH would result in a vehicle capable of performing its intended missions, and of smaller size and weight than would have been achievable otherwise. By analogy it is also shown that the LHX will benefit similarly in size and weight reduction when these emerging technological advances are applied.