SK starts flight tests with Carson blades
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SK starts flight tests with Carson blades
Probably better value for money than being given a new logo... 
QinetiQ’s Sea King helicopter completes first flight using advanced composite rotor blades
QinetiQ 11/20
QinetiQ’s Sea King helicopter XZ575 has successfully completed the first flight using advanced composite main rotor blades. Lasting for around four minutes, the flight was a significant milestone in the evaluation of the Carson Helicopters’ blade for the UK Sea King helicopter with the new blades producing data indicating significant performance gains. The flight was the culmination of many months of hard work carried out across QinetiQ and the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre at Boscombe Down and was supported by the MOD’s Sea King and Future Rotorcraft Capability IPTs and Agusta Westland.
Andrew Sleigh, QinetiQ’s Group MD for Defence and Technology said: “This is thought to be the most significant modification made to a helicopter in the UK by a non aircraft manufacturer. Because the new blades had not been certified by any organisation independent of the manufacturer, they were fitted for the trial as a QinetiQ modification – one of the most significant aircraft modifications ever made by us.“
Based on Carson Helicopter’s longer version of blades used on the Sikorsky S61 helicopter, these were the first set of blades produced by Carson for the UK Sea King helicopter. The rotor blades use advanced aerofoil sections, increased twist and a swept tip to produce significant performance gains. A similar blade to that being tested by QinetiQ has shown a 2000lb increase in hover capability.
The QinetiQ Carson blade test programme is intended to examine aircraft handling, performance and vibration characteristics and has now undertaken 22 hours of flying. The trial is due to be completed later this month.
Initial results from the test programme, which are supported by theoretical modelling carried out by QinetiQ, indicate that the Carson blades have the potential to significantly increase performance and so greatly increase the operational flexibility of the Sea King.
I/C
QinetiQ’s Sea King helicopter completes first flight using advanced composite rotor blades
QinetiQ 11/20
QinetiQ’s Sea King helicopter XZ575 has successfully completed the first flight using advanced composite main rotor blades. Lasting for around four minutes, the flight was a significant milestone in the evaluation of the Carson Helicopters’ blade for the UK Sea King helicopter with the new blades producing data indicating significant performance gains. The flight was the culmination of many months of hard work carried out across QinetiQ and the Aircraft Test and Evaluation Centre at Boscombe Down and was supported by the MOD’s Sea King and Future Rotorcraft Capability IPTs and Agusta Westland.
Andrew Sleigh, QinetiQ’s Group MD for Defence and Technology said: “This is thought to be the most significant modification made to a helicopter in the UK by a non aircraft manufacturer. Because the new blades had not been certified by any organisation independent of the manufacturer, they were fitted for the trial as a QinetiQ modification – one of the most significant aircraft modifications ever made by us.“
Based on Carson Helicopter’s longer version of blades used on the Sikorsky S61 helicopter, these were the first set of blades produced by Carson for the UK Sea King helicopter. The rotor blades use advanced aerofoil sections, increased twist and a swept tip to produce significant performance gains. A similar blade to that being tested by QinetiQ has shown a 2000lb increase in hover capability.
The QinetiQ Carson blade test programme is intended to examine aircraft handling, performance and vibration characteristics and has now undertaken 22 hours of flying. The trial is due to be completed later this month.
Initial results from the test programme, which are supported by theoretical modelling carried out by QinetiQ, indicate that the Carson blades have the potential to significantly increase performance and so greatly increase the operational flexibility of the Sea King.
I/C
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So what's the deal overall? The 2000lb additional uplift is pretty good but is there also an increased Vmax and improved SFC/range/endurance too? Well done QQ (and Carson!!).
Erm....I hope they get more than 4 mins endurance
Erm....I hope they get more than 4 mins endurance
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Actually, MoD first flew Carson blades on a s61 in late August 2002.
Sven
Sven
Last edited by Sven Sixtoo; 20th Nov 2006 at 21:01. Reason: forgot which month I went to Pennsylvania
