It seems AW continues to BERP...
(from an AW press release dated 27 Sept 2006)
The first flight of a high performance variant of the AgustaWestland EH101 fitted with new technology British Experimental Rotor Programme (BERP) IV main rotor blades, more powerful CT7-8E engines and a new integrated cockpit display system took place at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility yesterday. Following an initial flight in the morning the aircraft performed a second flight later in the day operating at speeds up to 135 knots and performing a range of manoeuvres with all results as predicted.
Speaking after the successful initial flights Alan Johnston, AgustaWestland’s Managing Director of Military Programmes said “This event brings together the technology that will give the next variants of the EH101 even greater mission performance. The additional capability these improvements will bring, especially increased payload in demanding hot and high environments, will be of great benefit to our customers who are experiencing ever increasing operational demands.”
The BERP IV Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP), which is jointly funded by the UK Ministry of Defence and AgustaWestland, was launched with seven key objectives comprising reduced first cost, reduced life cycle costs, reduced rotor vibration at high and low speeds, improved hover and forward flight performance, improved damage tolerance, increased erosion resistance and reduced signatures. The TDP is delivering the technology for the next generation of advanced composite rotor blades which will deliver significant improvements in whole life costs and operational capability of future helicopters including variants of the EH101.
... I think every blade should use a
PR man
Nimby