DESIGN AND STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF THE SH-2F COMPOSITE MAIN ROTOR BLADE

Kaman Aerospace Corporation has designed and currently is qualifying a composite main rotor blade assembly for the SH-2F Seasprite helicopter which is presently operating in U.S. Naval service. The composite blade spar is constructed to incorporate, as its major structural feature, a continuous load path of longitudinal and helical wound high strength glass fibers from blade root to tip. This paper summarizes the design and structural features of the composite blade, servoflap, and longitudinal control rod employed in the blade assembly as well as the methods used in their manufacture.