GKN Westland Aerospace Transmissions has opened a flexible transmission test rig (FTTR) for testing the gearboxes and engine transmissions of helicopters.
The £9 million ($14.6 million) facility at Yeovil features a closed-loop regenerative system capable of simulating output loads of 5,600kW (7,500hp). Gearboxes are mounted on a pallet system that costs around one-tenth of a traditional test rig and significantly reduces testing costs.
Single, twin and triple engine configurations can be tested on the rig. The FTTR will be used for EH101, Bell/Agusta AB139 and Apache attack helicopter transmission work.
Source: Flight International
