Features More Powerful Engines, BERP-IV Rotor Blades
The first flight of a high performance variant of the
AgustaWestland EH101 fitted with new technology British
Experimental Rotor Program (BERP) IV main rotor blades, more
powerful CT7-8E engines and a new integrated cockpit display system
took place at AgustaWestland's Yeovil facility on Tuesday.
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 maneuvers. Initial reports
indicate the helo performed exactly as expected.
"This event brings together the technology that will give the
next variants of the EH101 even greater mission performance," said
Alan Johnston, AgustaWestland's Managing Director of Military
Programs. "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 Program (TDP), which is
jointly funded by the UK Ministry of Defense 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.
The more powerful General Electric CT7-8E engines, rated at
2,527 shp (1884 kW) each for takeoff, provide 12 percent more power
than previous CT7-family engines, increasing the EH101's payload by
at least 2,000 pounds while operating on hot days at high
altitudes. Following an extensive flight test program, utilizing a
US101 test aircraft, development flying for the CT7-8E engines is
nearing completion.
The new fully integrated flight and mission cockpit display
system utilizes five 10 in x 8 in LCD main displays that give EH101
pilots 70 percent more display area enhancing their management of
flight, system and mission data. The same large area displays are
being introduced into the Royal Navy's EH101 Merlin MCSP aircraft
and the UK MoD Future Lynx fleet.