ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO MEET HELICOPTER MARKET REQUIREMENTS

Eurocopter have made a survey of their main civilian customers to update their knowledge of the helicopter market requirements. Not surprisingly in the today difficult economic environment, helicopter operators are ranking the reduction of operating costs as a top priority objective. Then come after, with simular levels of priority = performance, cabin comfort (airline - like ride), flexible mission capability and noise reduction. Based on this result, the Eurocopter Research and Technology development plan has been reassessed and rearranged so as to push technologies best suitable to bring improvements in the areas of interest to the helicopter users. This paper is therefore intended to give a brief overview of the corresponding benefits achieved with some of those technologies applied to recent Eurocopter development programs. It is successively addressing the following themes: 1. Rotor aerodynamics : given the level of performance now achieved on current helicopters, the emphasis is now rather put on reducing noise while not degrading performance. This strategy has been successfully applied to reduce external noise level of EC 120, EC 135 and EC 155. 2. Active control technology which allows to maximize the performance of mechanical systems. It has been successfully used to improve the stability of rotors while simplifying the design of the lead-lag damper, with significant benefits in terms of weight and cost savings. 3. Health and Usage monitoring Systems : Eurocopter is proposing on AS 332 a HUMS which is already allowing the helicopter operator to monitor the usage and health of its fleet and optimize its maintenance. In order to allow users of smaller helicopters to benefit from this technology, the cost of such systems must be lower. Eurocopter have decided to launch the development of a modular system adaptable to the requirements of helicopters of different sizes. 4. Integrated cockpit avionics : Eurocopter is developping the so called “Avionique Nouvelle” which is progressively implemented on all its product range. Its optimized ergonomic is significantly reducing the pilot workload. In adition the standardization of cockpit is bringing cost advantages and making easier the transition of pilots between the members of the Eurocopter helicopter range.