AERODYNAMIC DESIGN OF THE SIKORSKY S-76 HELICOPTER

The Sikorsky S-76 twin engine commercial helicopter incorporates advanced aerodynamic design features that contribute substantially to its excellent performance capabilities. It is fast and agile but is also quiet and efficient, with high lift capability per unit of installed power and very long range. The fact that the aircraft meets or exceeds the performance targets selected at the beginning of the program is attributed to a conservative tailoring of the rotor design parameters and to an unusually low level of parasite drag.