Kaman Aerospace has completed development flight tests of its second generation composite main rotor blades (CMRB II) aboard an SH-2G Super Seasprite naval helicopter.
The new blade is intended to meet "increasing mission equipment needs and mission performance requirements", says Kaman engineering vice-president Michael Bowes. The blades will become the production standard, and may be retrofitted to serving Seasprites during regular maintenance.
Production standard blades, about 0.9kg (2lb) lighter than the prototype blades, will fly on the first refurbished SH-2G(A) Royal Australian Navy (RAN)-standard prototype helicopter in the third quarter of this year.
The RAN has ordered 11 of the aircraft for delivery from 2001. They are stripped down from the current RANSH-2F standard, remanufactured and fitted with a new, two-man cockpit and integrated tactical avionics system.
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has ordered four new-build SH-2G(NZ)s for delivery in 2000 as replacements for the outdated Westland Wasp. Both navies will use the aircraft on new Anzac class frigates, and the RNZN will use it on older Leander-class vessels.
Kaman says the new blades offer "a huge aerodynamic improvement", resulting in 225kg of extra lift, compared with the Dash 101 standard. This leads to lower fuel consumption, greater range and endurance, and better manoeuvrability and hover performance.
The composite construction also offers longer blade life and greater damage tolerance. The CMRB II has an estimated service life of more than 15,000 flight hours, compared with 3,700 hours for the Dash 101.
"The flight tests prove the SH-2G composite main rotor is ready for production," says Bowes. "Our new blades reduce life cycle costs for the SH-2G and provide the opportunity to increase gross weight [from the current 6,075kg standard]," he adds.
Source: Flight International
