Insights into Helicopter Air Combat Maneuverability

The author's participation in the U.S. Army Helicopter Air to Air Combat Test Program (D-318) has provided some insight into future helicopter air combat. This paper discusses the specific maneuvers which were performed in the aerial encounters and the handling qualities and performance characteristics which influenced agility and maneuverability. A discussion of the concepts of helicopter maneuvering, considering the relationships of turning flight, excess power and energy management, is presented. Design considerations of an air combat helicopter are also discussed and a set of maneuver-ability and agility guidelines is presented to allow systematic evaluation of proposed designs and possibly help shape future requirements.