Design and Testing of the Bell FARDS Tail Rotor Driveshaft

Testing was recently performed on a new tail rotor drive shaft (TRDS) technology developed under the Future Advanced Rotorcraft Drive System (FARDS) program. The FARDS TRDS operates above its third critical speed, has a curved shaft centerline, and utilizes a novel damper design, advanced materials, and advanced manufacturing technologies. This TRDS design allows for a reduction from seven shaft segments to only two, which reduces system weight and cost. The endurance, low cycle fatigue, and high cycle fatigue testing performed on this drive shaft design was successful, and demonstrated a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6.