Авіаційно-космічна техніка та технологія (Aug 2023)
The market and the future of the turbine powered heavy helicopters
Abstract
The subject of this study is the current state of the market and prospects for the development of heavy transport helicopters and their power plants. This article provides a classification of helicopters and a segment of medium-heavy and heavy helicopters with gas turbine engines. The field of application of such helicopters is briefly described. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the activities of Element JSC in the field of developing electronic control systems for gas turbine engines for heavy class helicopters. Such systems for Element JSC, in particular, are RDTs-2500 and RDTs-450M-117B units for TV3-117VMA-SBM-1B series turboshaft engines, created by Motor Sich JSC. Objective: To provide information on the main types of heavy helicopters manufactured and operated today, as well as a description of the gas turbine engines installed on these helicopters. The field of application of such helicopters is briefly described. The segment of heavy helicopters with gas turbine engines is the largest in terms of money on the world market of civil helicopters, and the forecast of deliveries of such helicopters for the next 5-7 years is given. Most helicopter models are not completely new developments, but have been improved over many years. Characteristic design features of heavy helicopters with gas turbine engines, features of the arrangement of units and equipment are given. The main structural and structural features of gas turbine engines of various manufacturers and the types of helicopters on which they are installed are given. Brief information on Russian and Ukrainian gas turbine engines - VK-2500 and TV3-117VMA-SBM-1B is provided separately. The results. Despite the active development of eVTOL technologies in the sector of small rotorcrafts, the development and improvement of gas turbine engines continues. Heavy helicopters of both traditional and non-traditional designs are being developed. Conclusions. Modernization of the design and "remotorization" of the Mi-8 helicopter is a good opportunity for "Motor-Sich Helicopters", but it needs its own developments. Many promising Ukrainian developments were canceled due to the war. Analysis of the technical characteristics of TVaD for heavy helicopters shows that domestic engines are almost in no way inferior to their European and American competitors. Promising TVaD of SE "Ivchenko-Progress" AI-130 with a capacity of 3,000 hp. can become an even more attractive proposition.
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