Preliminary parameters design for a long endurance unmanned helicopter with low rotor-disc loading

Abstract

This paper investigates the design of a long-endurance unmanned helicopter (LEUH) with low rotor disc loading (LRDL) and low rotor speed (LRS). Due to the flaws in flying qualities caused by the LRDL and the LRS, this paper establishes a flying quality evaluation model in which handling qualities (FQs) and flight control (FC) are introduced into the distributed multi-objective collaborative optimization (DMOCO) of the helicopters. The comprehensive design optimization on preliminary parameters of the LEUH in wind shear is also carried out. Numerical simulation results show that the LRDL and the LRS technologies are successfully applied to LEUH, with the FQs and the flight performance considered. Compared with A160 LEUH, the payload load ratio is significantly improved.