Project description
Optimising the aerodynamics of next-generation civil tilt rotor
The next-generation civil tilt rotor (NGCTR) aims to combine the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the speed of a fixed-wing aircraft, allowing its use in various applications such as transport, search and rescue, and emergency response. However, its aerodynamic configuration requires validation through large-scale powered wind-tunnel experiments. The EU-funded NEXTTRIP project will modify the existing 1/5th scale model built by a previous project and conduct wind tunnel tests to optimise the empennage configuration. Multi-objective aerodynamic empennage optimisation will also be performed after wind-tunnel data analysis. NEXTTRIP aims to verify and improve the NGCTR design, considering feasibility and industrial constraints. Advanced flow visualisation tools will be used to better understand aerodynamic phenomena for selected configurations.
Objective
The aerodynamic configuration definition of the NGCTR needs to be confirmed by a large scale powered wind tunnel experiment, with the aim to verify and confirm the key choices of the configuration and to provide guidelines and proposals for potential additional improvement to be implemented. Within the EU 6th framework programme NICETRIP a 1/5th scale full-span, powered wind tunnel model has been designed and manufactured by NLR and tested in DNW-LLF and ONERA S1, with support of DLR. In order to fully exploit the FP6 research program, NEXTTRIP is a 30 month- 2.77 MEuro valued project based on re-using the existing NICETRIP powered model and key-partners responsible for the successful
execution of the NICETRIP low speed test.
The NEXTTRIP partners, NLR, DNW, DLR, Hit09 & Fokker will work together to modify the NICETRIP model, perform the wind tunnel test in DNW-LLF and define an optimal Empennage configuration based on the wind tunnel test results and given boundaries. NLR will coordinate the NEXTTRIP project and will perform wind tunnel model design and manufacture, test preparations (including GVT), advanced flow visualisation during wind tunnel test and wind tunnel data analysis. DNW will support test preparation and perform the wind tunnel test. DLR will support test preparation and perform data-acquisition and piloting. Multi-objective aerodynamic empennage optimisation will be performed by Hit09 after wind tunnel data
analysis. Fokker will, together with NLR, perform a verification of compliance with feasibility and industrial constraints during the empennage optimisation process. For all three empennage configurations, both powered and unpowered test will be performed and for a selected configuration advance flow visualisation will be performed for a better understanding of the interactional aerodynamic phenomena.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
CS2-RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
1059 CM Amsterdam
Netherlands