Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

Leonardo AW609 TiltRotor

2020 MODERN AIRCRAFT X-PLANE FUTURE FLIGHT

History

Tilt-rotors appear to combine two of the best of aviationthe fast straight-line speed of a fixed-wing aircraft and the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities of a helicopter. The tilting motion of the engines accomplishes this, thus providing a platform that combines the qualities of two aircraft namely versatility and performance.

Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland (AW), which acquired the remainder of the tilt-rotor program from Bell Helicopters (former partner) in November 2011, has begun development of the AW609. The AW609 is a tiltrotor product for the civil, commercial and professional service markets.

The aircraft was largely based on the original Bell XV-15 of the 1970s, which later heavily influenced the modern Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey currently in service with the US military. From the looks of it, the AW609 is expected to be the world's first civilian tilt-rotor aircraft.

The AW609 has a crew of 2, with interior passenger seating for 6 to 9 people, depending on configuration. The cabin is fully pressurized for high altitude flight and can be retrofitted to perform a variety of missions, including search and rescue (SAR) and surveillance. The retractable wheeled landing gear helps maintain aerodynamic efficiency during flight and conforms to the general shape of the fuselage.

The elevated wing helps the engine nacelle clear the large diameter three-blade composite rotor blades. Engines are attached to the ends of the composite wing structure and pitch to drive the air down or level to drive the air back, providing lift and/or forward flight as needed. The rear wing is in a "T-shaped" configuration. The cockpit features an all-glass digital approach with fly-by-wire (FBW) controls, onboard diagnostic computer, tri-color multi-function display (MFD), GPS navigation and integrated weather radar.

The rotor blades are heated to prevent icing.

The AW609 has a certified maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of nearly 18,000 pounds and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A turboshaft engines, each rated at 1,940 hp. This would give the airframe a top speed of 315 mph and a cruise speed of about 300 mph. The rate of climb is reported at 1,500 feet per minute and the maximum range is reported at 860 miles.

It's worth noting that the performance figures given outperform conventional helicopters, something Agusta will definitely be betting on when it comes to marketing. Dimensions include an overall length of 46 feet, height of 16.7 feet, and width of 60 feet (including rotor).

While development of the AgustaWestland is proving slow, the aircraft will be certified sometime in 2017 (although this is delayed from 2016). The need to modernize the original Bell design and try to reduce overall costs caused delays as the AW609 inevitably entered mass production awaiting customers.

Although the project is being led by AgustaWestland in Europe, AW609 is still being developed near Arlington, Texas, USA. The uniqueness of the AW609 will force the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to develop a whole new set of standards for civil tiltrotor aircraft.

Of course, joining U.S. airspace will go a long way toward bringing the AW609 to other countries. A second manufacturing facility in the United States could also be established to complement AgustaWestland's existing facility in Italy.