STUDYING DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF X380 HELICOPTER EQUIPPED WITH A NEW 5-BLADE COMPOSITE ROTOR

Flight testing of the X380 Dauphin demonstrator showed excellent vibratory comfort. The vibration level measured in flight without suspension system and with the new 5-blade rotor is better than on a conventional Dauphin with a 4-blade StarFlex rotor and suspension. The completely new 5-blade rotor design consists of a tapering composite material rotor mast and a SpheriFlex rotor head with elastomeric interblade dampers. The low vibration levels measured on the X380 are primarily attributable to the quality of the rotor and to the airframe excitation transmission characteristics.