Nick,
"...active on-blade control is the future of helicopter technology."
Absolutely agreed absolutely.
"...the perennial loser, the syncropter."
For the normal speed range of military helis i agree, although i suspect the synchropter to be more efficient in hover (but perhaps heavier). In truth for the lower disk loadings of civil helis, which are still fuel guzzlers, i can believe the figure gets to 10% (lots of left foot on an R22).
My interest stems from the work done by both Lockheed in the 186/AH-56 and your old workhorse Sikorsky's ABC - both had the posibility of seriously pushing up top speeds. To avoid retreating blade stall drag my gut feeling is that synchropter (outboard forward) offers less drag than coaxial. My frustration is partly that Dave will open up a discussion, but won't give particulars of the application - as a specification this makes life very difficult...
---
Slowrotor,
"...the real purpose of the RFP was to transfer state funds to some friend of a legislator."
Oh the joys of high tech engineering!
I like the construction equipment (truck) industry for this sort of reason. There is less b*ll!!!!! than the UK auto industry, and the customer just wants a machine that effectively does a job. I wouldn't mind the transition to aerospace, but not if it means starving!
Mart
[Edit: typos]