Bell helicopters new folding rotor system

[NutLoose]

Designed for the likes of a tilt rotor where the rotors will fold flush with the engine nacelles when sufficient forward speed is obtained and it will then fly like a normal aircraft with a separate thrust supply.

You Tube

more information.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/erictegler/2024/02/09/heres-what-bells-new-folding-rotors-look-like-in-action/?sh=119fd083e821

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[SASless]

What is it I am seeing Wiley Coyote sat in the Cockpit?

What could possibly go wrong with this concept?

Interesting concept however.

[SplineDrive]

Video of 1972 wind tunnel test

Bell has been pursuing stop fold tilt rotor technology for almost as long as the tilt rotor itself. The link above is an unpowered XV-15 sized stop fold rotor in the 40 x 80 wind tunnel tested in 1972, several years before the XV-15 flew. This current testing goes beyond what could be done in a wind tunnel (where the airspeed is imposed on the rotor by the tunnel) and demonstrates the transfer of thrust from one propulsion type to another while managing the fold in a less controlled environment.

[chopper2004]

Wind tunnel tests

https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/24...ion-capability




cheers

[Jeff Hom]

Of all the high speed architecture, this on is the coolest. I’m not an engineer but it seems less complex than a tiltrotor or an X2 technology.
It remain me “the 6th Day” aircraft. Helicopter VTOL capability and jet aircraft speed.

[Sam W]

Jeff,

I agree it is the coolest, but it is a more complex tilt rotor.

[Commando Cody]

https://newatlas.com/military/bell-h...body#gallery:1

A series of Bell pics of the concept

[helispotter]

Originally Posted by Commando Cody

https://newatlas.com/military/bell-h...body#gallery:1

A series of Bell pics of the concept

Last image has caption: "The Bell X-plane is designed to be a family of aircraft" with the mid size render looking about the size of a V-22 and largest perhaps approaching a C130 as on ramp behind it. So what combination of cruise speed, range and useful payload are they considering for the family members?

[magyar_flyer]

What could possibly go wrong?!

Still, very cool concept.

[CTR]

Yes more complex than a Tiltrotor. But watch the Bell sled test closely, specifically the three swashplate actuators. Bell is using the existing swashplate actuators to fold the rotor blades. This significantly reduces the system complexity.