Tiltrotor Test Rig Program Intended To Help Design New Proprotors

The Tiltrotor Test Rig (TTR) Development Team comprised of NASA Ames Research Center, Bell Helicopter, and Triumph Aerospace Systems - Newport News (TASNN) were honored with a 2013 NASA Group Achievement Award at the Ames Research Center's annual NASA Agency Honor Awards ceremony on August 29. The Group Achievement Award is presented to selected groups who have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to the NASA mission.

“This prestigious award recognizes the tireless effort of a collaborative team dedicated to making a difference in the future of aviation and aerospace,” said Jeff Lowinger, executive vice president of Engineering and Commercial Programs at Bell Helicopter. “We are very proud of the contributions this group is making to the advancement of tiltrotor technology and honored to be part of this vital research.”

The TTR is a joint project between NASA, the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to develop a new large-scale proprotor test system for the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC). Designed to test proprotors up to 26 feet in diameter at speeds up to 300 knots, the TTR’s unprecedented combination of size and speed are necessary for 21st century research on tiltrotors and other advanced rotorcraft concepts.

Bell Helicopter and Triumph Aerospace Systems are under prime contract with NASA to design and manufacture the TTR and supporting equipment, including a calibration rig. The TTR is used in the 40-by 80- Foot and the 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnels.  Testing can occur in airplane mode at high speed wind (up to 300 knots), edgewise at low speed (up to 100 knots) or at any angle in between. The TTR is designed to accommodate a variety of rotors.

Besides the TTR prime contractors Bell Helicopter and TASNN, team members being recognized include the TTR development government agencies (NASA, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Air Force) and their contractor support organizations including Jacobs Technology, Inc., AECOM, RS Morris Construction, Monterey Technologies, Inc., Thomson Aerospace & Defense, Lufkin Industries, Kern Steel Fabricators, and ElectroMechanical Engineering Associates.

(Image provided by NASA)

FMI: http://rotorcraft.arc.nasa.gov/Research/Facilities/ttr.html