MILITARYAN ARMADA INTERNATIONAL ROTORCRAFT COMPENDIUM SUPPLEMENT

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he military helicopter market has organisations include: AVX Aircraft and its had a robust couple of decades, compound helicopter with coaxial rotors particularly as a result of its use and dual ducted fans; Karem Aircraft with as a counter-insurgency vehicle of its optimum speed tiltrotor, the TR36TD; choice supporting ground troops and others including the well established Tin first Iraq, then Afghanistan and more Piaseki company with its long-worked X-49A recently in northern Africa. It enabled Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) coalition forces to move unhindered around compound helicopter programme, to newer the asymettric battlefield, avoiding roadside ideas such as the modular vertical take-off improvesed explosive devices (IEDs) and and landing (VTOL) Aerial Reconfigurable enabling rapid reaction and resupply to isolated Embedded System (ARES). patrols and outposts. But the success of the military rotorcraft All of the major prime manufacturers has also caught the imagination of non- made good business developing and selling traditional players who are keen to break dedicated attack helicopters, heavy lift, into the manned rotorcraft market, such as medium lift, utility, as well as numerous naval relatively new but fast growning Chinese varients. But designing and selling dedicated company Avicopter, Korean Aerospace military helicopters is an expensive business Industries and Turkish Aerospace Industries. Chris Van Buiten, vice president, Sikorsky which is why a couple of current trends Innovations, Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin have developed: either keep developing new I THE SURVEY iterations existing helicopters as Boeing has Armada International wanted to discover aircraft need to be able to accommodate done with its AH-64 Apache and CH-47 industry’s perspective on the future of greater payloads and be produced at a lower Chinook, or develop a modern version of manned and unmanned military rotorcraft, cost while at the same time shrinking their an older aircraft in the way Leonardo has and a survey of several questions was sent logistical footprint. done with the AW159 Wilcat replacing the out to each prime with more that one type Chris Van Buiten (CVB): At Sikorsky we Lynx/Super Lynx 300 and SikorskyLockheed of military helicopter. Not all answered, but have selected three technology pillars that we Martin has done with the CH-53K, taken the four that did represented companies with think define the future of rotorcraft. These from the legacy CH-53A/D/G. a long pedegree in helicopter design and are: speed, autonomy, and intelligence. Our A more recent development has been development: Bell, Boeing, Leonardo and Speed Pillar is focused on maturing our X2 the dual use civil/military helicopters that Sikorsky. rigid coaxial helicopter technology which have been brought to the market by Airbus The questionnarre required answers enables us to double the speed of helicopters, (H135M, H145M/UH-72A) and Leonardo from a senior named figure within the improve cruise efficiency, reduce noise and (AW109LUH, AW139/149/169). Bell did orgnaisation who had a direct connection significantly improve manoeuvrability. Our this before with the Bell 407 and of course with the development of their company’s Autonomy Pillar is focused on improving Russian Helicopters with its dual Mi-8/17. military products and assessment of future the safety and productivity of our helicopters Tiltrotors entered the market, and after ambitions. Respondents did not have to by leveraging autonomy technology. Our a difficult start have become aircraft that answer all questions. approach will enable our products to be are invaluable to the United States Marine ‘optimally piloted’ with two pilots, one Corps (USMC). Moreover, prime Bell is now Andrew Drwiega (AD): What are the main pilot or zero pilots; depending on mission taking a newer generational aircraft through factors driving military helicopter design requirements. Our Intelligence Pillar is the US Army’s Joint Multirole Technology today? focused on maturing the monitoring and Demonstration with the ambition of Steve Mathias (SM): After nearly two analytics technology to understand the becoming a key piller of the Future Vertical decades of conflict, I think US military health of the aircraft fleets we support. This Lift requirement from the 2030s onwards. leaders see a need to re-examine the combat pillar is driving improvements in availability Bell is also staking an early claim into the helicopter from ‘soup to nuts’. Future vertical and reducing operating costs. We are burgeoning unmanned military rotorcraft lift aircraft need to fly faster and further while integrating all of these technology areas in market with its V-247 Vigilant tiltrotor UAV. maintaining excellent manoeuvrability over our next generation of products including Moreover, outside of the prime their targets. The attack helicopters today are those focused on US Depeartment of Defense manufacturers there are still spirited technologically advanced versions of what (DoD) Future Vertical Lift (FVL). rotorcraft developers with many ideas but was invented by Bell in the 1960s. They are John Schibler (JS): At Boeing, we design lacking the budget and manufacturing very capable and effective, but still similar military helicopters based upon customer facilities to bring them to market. Such in speed and range. These next generation requirements. Typical design requirements

2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium 03 interview

Turkish Utility Helicopter program. We are also developing products using our Collier

Boeing Award Winning X2 Technology: the S-97 RAIDER and the SB>1 Defiant. Our current portfolio is a nice mix of new developments as well as product upgrades. Some of the specific technologies we are leveraging include advanced composite structures, fly- Boeing AH-6i Little Bird. by-wire controls, active vibration control and advanced diagnostics. for the aircraft. With the versatility of a helicopter and the speed and range of a turbo prop the performance of the Osprey makes it uniquely capable of performing missions that other aircraft cannot. Roberto Garavaglia (RG): It’s all about capability and affordability. Leonardo has Andrew Drwiega both specialised military helicopters and Roberto Garavaglia, senior vice president, Competitive Analysis & Strategy, Leonardo dual use platforms in its product range. The specialised platforms, such as the AW101 centre upon speed, range, payload, high/hot and AW159, have been developed to meet capabilities, endurance, and survivability very demanding and specific military of the aircraft and the crew members. requirements that require sophisticated fully Bell Helicopter AH-1Z, Afghanistan. This means redundancy for key systems. integrated mission systems such as radars, Design requirements for different military weapon systems, defensive aids etc, which SM: Bell has always been on the leading edge helicopters are based upon the mission sets of course drive up the cost. Other specific of technology and innovation. Examples each aircraft is required to perform. For military requirements, such as ballistic include P59 which was the first US jet fighter, example, design requirements for a light tolerance and electromagnetic protection, and X-1, which was the first supersonic attack/reconnaissance scout, such as the also have an impact on cost. For a variety aircraft, as well as the V-22, which is the first AH-6 Little Bird, is significantly different of utility and tactical roles Leonardo’s dual and only production tiltrotor. Additionally, from those of a multi-role attack helicopter use products, such as the AW139M, offer Bell aircraft have been continually upgraded like the AH-64E Apache. The mission of the customers a platform that can provide to remain relevant in the commercial space scout is to perform reconnaissance, gather virtually all the capability of a competing as well as the military battlespace. The AH- intelligence, and report it back to operations specialised platform but with lower 1Z and UH-1Y aircraft, while 85 percent centres and in this role, the scout helicopter’s acquisition and through life costs. common, are the latest generation in attack direct engagement with the enemy has aircraft responding to a requirement from limitations which lead to design of a smaller, the United States Marine Corps for combat agile aircraft, with limited firepower. For the aircraft. multirole attack helicopter, which engages Bell continues to lead the vertical lift Leonardo directly and decisively with the enemy, the industry with the revolutionary V-280 Valor. design includes greater protection for the The V-280 is a next-generation tiltrotor that crew; increased durability of the airframe is designed to provide unmatched agility, to withstand direct hits; and designed speed, range and payload capabilities at an broad spectrum functionality of the aircraft affordable cost. The Bell V-280 Valor achieved including dual hydraulics, electrical systems, first flight in December 2017. This milestone etc. – which leads to considered placement of Leonardo Aw139M. represents exceptional progress on the V-280 these systems so that when in contact with development programme and brings Bell one enemy firepower, one bullet/RPG will not AD: Where does your company direct its step closer to creating the next generation of adversely impact the functionality of the main investment: new helicopter design; vertical lift aircraft for the US military. systems. The Chinook tandem rotorcraft design modifications and upgrades; new fulfils a broad range of missions and is systems technology? Can you provide details JS: At Boeing we work cooperatively and designed and modernised to ensure it meets about your developments to date? closely with our customers and industry commanders’ performance requirements CVB: Sikorsky has a wide portfolio of partners to develop active and detailed for power, speed, stability and lift. The helicopter development underway that is modernisation plans for each of our V-22 Osprey continues to redefine multirole funded both internally and by customers. contemporary, runway-independent, vertical flexibility and mission versatility, operating This includes the CH-53K King Stallion lift platforms. The customer ultimately worldwide in combat and humanitarian heavy lift helicopter development program, decides the priorities based upon the ever- service. The tiltrotor craft was designed Presidential Helicopter, USAF Combat changing threat and emerging requirements. for operational flexibility, shipboard Rescue helicopter, as well as several As stated previously, being able to increase compatibility and technology enhancements international programmes including the speed, range and endurance allow for planned or in-work ensure future growth Canadian Maritime Helicopter, and the expanded mission capability while requiring

04 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium interview

why Bell is developing the V-247 Vigilant. The V-247 Vigilant unmanned tiltrotor system

Boeing is another example of Bell’s ability to apply an adaptive systems technology construct through years of lessons learned on V-22 and recently with the V-280 into an unmanned platform. The V-247 is runway independent and will operate from naval vessels to provide long range 24 hour persistent ISR with a flexible payload capacity. This will facilitate meeting known capability gaps and future Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian. fleet growth requirements with a capability to change configurations rapidly. a smaller logistics footprint on the battlefield. The Bell V-247 Vigilant is a low- Other connectivity/situational awareness on risk, achievable approach to satisfying the ever-crowded battlefield drives upgraded the USMC MUX (MAGTF Unmanned technologies. In addition to continuously Expeditionary Capabilities) requirement modernising vertical lift platforms, Boeing Steve Mathias, vice president, Global Military for a Group 4/5 Unmanned Aerial System Business Development, Bell is actively engaged in the Joint Multi Role (UAS). Expeditionary capability with a small Technology Demonstrator (JMRTD) piloted’ capability (2 Crew, 1 Crew, 0 Crew) logistical footprint. project and other advanced programmes in our products to make them safer, more Additionally, Bell has demonstrated and technologies. Twenty seven new productive and less expensive to operate. a scalable unmanned autonomous pod technologies went into the latest model of the Autonomy has the potential to eliminate transport system, otherwise known as APT, Apache, the AH-64E with key developments the leading cause of helicopter accidents: to meet the growing on-demand mobility including a new split-torque face gear controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). CFIT needs for both commercial and military transmission to increase power throughput; is currently responsible for about 75 percent applications. The APT will autonomously composite rotor blades; Cognitive Decision of helicopter accidents. This is because deliver much needed aide or supplies to areas Aiding, and interoperability with unmanned helicopters operate close to the ground, in affected by natural disasters, impassable road aerial systems. The Chinook and Osprey unprepared, obstacle rich environments. systems due to flooding or mass migrant programmes are likewise engaged in Our autonomy approach is more focused on movements, or a unit located in an austere modernisation development to ensure leveraging autonomy in products that are also forward operating base. This capability continued operational relevance. capable of carrying people and less focused set will improve how we operate militarily on making small UAVs. This drives our focus and support a global community when the RG: Leonardo Helicopters invests more on high integrity, highly reliable systems that bubble goes up. than 10 percent of its revenues into research can be trusted. We also recognise that our and development, the challenge is how best products will interoperate with smaller UAVS JS: Leadership within The Boeing Company to spend that significant sum of money. is a variety of roles. Our optimally piloted see significant benefits in the complimentary At Leonardo we are investing in new approach enables the flight crews to free up nature between manned and unmanned rotorcraft – conventional helicopters, tilt the mental bandwidth to enable operation of rotorcraft/systems and the tremendous rotors and unmanned – as well as product off board UAVs. benefits associated with the combined improvements to existing helicopter product increase in capabilities. Today’s Apache lines. Additionally we are investing in new SM: Unmanned, autonomous vertical lift helicopter is capable of receiving video from technologies, such as electric tail rotor drive aircraft will have a growing influence on an UAS of the mission area prior to even and active blade technology, which could shaping the 21st century battlefield. That’s taking off – and that’s a tremendous increase be introduced on both new and existing platforms.

AD: Unmanned military rotorcraft are increasing in numbers and capability among today’s armed forces. Does your company see a future in progressing alongside, but apart from, unmanned rotorcraft; is it developing manned and unmanned rotorcraft together; or are you planning a significant increase in unmanned rotorcraft design and development? CVB: Autonomy is going to have a significant impact on our industry. Our Autonomy Pillar is focused on leveraging autonomy technology across all of our commercial and military products. Our vision is to enable ‘optimally

2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium 05 INTERVIEW Sikorsky Leonardo

Sikorsky CH-53K.

in situational awareness and survivability. ere is clearly so much capability in unmanned technologies that the company has and industry leading Autonomous Systems Division within the Boeing Defense, Leonardo SW-4 Solo. Space & Security business. Both the Boeing Vertical Li (current platforms) and Phantom Works (new development) organisations are more productive and cost e ective both be needed in the light attack / utility role as actively engaged with many projects which with and without pilots. In this way, the well as a slightly larger, faster attack platform. intersect with this technology. autonomy technology is completely scalable At Bell Helicopter, we have innovation teams from our 12,000lb helicopters to our 80,000lb continuously working to bring new ideas RG: To get the maximum mission capability helicopters. We do not see an autonomous to life in order to solve the hard challenges bene t you have to design a platform 19 passenger helicopter on the horizon yet that limit the capabilities of rotorcra . If an from the outset for unmanned operations. but we are working on using that autonomy aircra manufacturer fails to innovate, they Optionally piloted air vehicles converted technology to make our 19 passenger will fall prey to the wake of disruption caused from manned platforms give you mission and helicopter safer, more productive and more by new ideas. operational  exibility, but don’t give you the a ordable to operate. same combination of payload fraction and range that can be achieved with a dedicated Will manned attack helicopters still have

unmanned platform. a central role in deliberate attack in 2030 Sikorsky e amount of investment and work onwards? Does your company regard we are doing on unmanned rotorcra has UAVs as a threat to future business - or an increased signi cantly over the last three opportunity? to four years and we expect it to continue to grow to become an important part of our business over the next decade. One key Sikrosky S-97 Raider. unmanned project is RUAS Phase II, jointly funded by Leonardo Helicopters and the RG: Leonardo de nitely sees UAVs as an UK MoD, which is studying the role of a opportunity rather than a threat to its current unmanned rotorcra primarily for maritime helicopter business. Leonardo Helicopters is missions. We are also continuing to develop investing in military unmanned rotorcra the Hero UAS product and the SW-4 Solo and going forward sees them as one of its OPH/UAS demonstrator. three product lines – which comprises of conventional helicopters, tilt rotors and AD: Does your company regard UAVs as a unmanned rotorcra . threat to future business - or an opportunity? We have the technology for the platform, Are UAV rotorcra scalable? the mission systems and the unmanned John Schibler, Boeing Vertical Lift director of CVB: Autonomy presents an important Engineering mission management. e technology that opportunity by enabling signi cant allows you to  y and operate a unmanned advancement of helicopters. Sikorsky makes SM: At Bell we are focused on how to best rotorcra is scalable, for example the large helicopters such as the UH-60 Black serve the war  ghter. e complexity of the technology behind the Hero and SW-4 Solo Hawk, CH-53E/K, S-76 and S-92. ese battle eld will always demand a mixture of unmanned air systems is almost identical and aircra move passengers and tons of material manned, optionally manned, and unmanned applicable to larger unmanned rotorcra . over large distances in di cult environments. aircra . We at Bell Helicopter embrace Small UAVs are not going to displace this vertical li across all platforms manned and What is the long-term impact of transportation capability, but I believe the unmanned. e multiple roles of vertical performance-based logistic contracts on autonomy that enables UAVs will  ow into li platforms will create unique missions your company’s overall business? Does all future helicopters to make them safer, sets where a small, short range aircra will this shi the key OEM role from prime

06 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium INTERVIEW manufacturer to sustainment provider? training service covering the  rst 15 years We believe that it will be important to retain CVB: Sikorsky has thousands of aircra of operation of a  eet of 16 AW101s.  is the ability to have humans in the system.  e operating with customers around the world. contract guarantees aircra availability rates role of humans will change from piloting the  e safe and cost e ective operation of these at six SAR bases.  ese types of contract aircra to coordinating increasingly complex  eets is a constant focus for us. We make are likely to increase in the future and are mission strategies. extensive use of Performance Based Logistics an opportunity for the Company to expand and Total Assured Performance with our its customer support and training business RG: We see manned armed helicopters still military and commercial customers. We whilst ensuring customers get the most out playing a key role in ful lling the armed role continue to invest to improve our capability. of their helicopter  eet. in 2030. However, certainly by then some Our  eet management centre monitors battle eld commanders are likely to have aircra around the world with state of the art, Will manned attack helicopters still have unmanned armed rotorcra available and, customised analytics to reduce maintenance, a central role in deliberate attack in as is the case today, armed unmanned  xed downtime and costs with the highest levels 2030 onwards or will their role be made wing aircra . Looking beyond 2030 it is likely of safety.  ese services are a big part of our redundant through the use of either UAVs, the role will be carried out increasingly by business but we maintain a balance of new fast jets, or perhaps other platforms that unmanned platforms controlled from remote aircra production and  eet support. may be able to deliver kinetic weapons? ground stations or teamed with manned CVB: Future attack and reconnaissance aircra . However, we do not anticipate RG:  ere is an increasing trend amongst helicopters will have the  exibility to complete replacement of manned platforms military customers to evaluate not just the operate with or without onboard crew with unmanned ones, especially in scenarios procurement cost but the through life cost depending on mission requirements.  ey where a speci c situational awareness is of helicopter platforms and to contract for will interoperate with smaller UAVs and needed. some form of performance-based logistics.  xed wing attack assets. Our S-97 Raider Leonardo Helicopters has a lot of experience prototype which is aimed at Future Vertical NOTE: e following manufacturers were of providing integrated operational support Li Light requirements will be able to contacted to contribute to this survey and services for the UK MoD Merlin, Apache execute missions with two crew, one crew either did not wish to participate or did not and Wildcat  eets. Most recently is has or no crew and will be capable of operating reply: Airbus Helicopter; Korean Aerospace contracted with Norway for a comprehensive in packs of collaborating aircra while Industries; Hindustan Aeronautics; MD aircra availability based support service and leveraging o board assets including UAVs. Helicopters; Russian Helicopters.

2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium 07 interview MAKING MILITARY ROTORCRAFT - AN INSIDER’S EXPERIENCE Armada International gets the inside line on the military rotorcraft industry from an industry professional who has spend decades selling and promoting military rotorcraft.

Andrew Drwiega US Army

A US Army CH-47F delivering cargo during a training flight. Modern Chinook heavy-lift helicopters feature digital ‘glass cockpit’ avionics, a digital automatic flight control system (DAFCS) and are made to be easier to maintain.

08 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium interview

n looking to get an insider’s view point on the military rotorcraft industry today, delving into where it has come from and where it is headed, I quickly decided upon a guy that I have known forI many years, known to many simply as Andrew Drwiega ‘ To r g y ’. I have known Robert (Bob) Torgerson ever since I started writing about military helicopters nearly 20 years ago. We were introduced by a mutual good friend and journalist, David Harvey, who told me I ought to get to know Bob as he knew a great many people and either had been, was currently, or would be involved in every major military rotorcraft programme that Boeing had brought to the mass market. This turned out to be true. Two US Marine Corp MV-22Bs Bob retired at the end of 2017 after a taking off from Baghdad airport career of 38 years with Boeing Vertical during the war in Iraq, 2009. Lift in a variety of roles, including leading international sales of Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook in Europe and Asia. He also served in communications and public affairs comments reflect his personal view points military rotorcraft industry has changed positions for Boeing, with his skills founded and are not representative of any outside over the decades that you have been in newspaper journalism. He is currently organisation: involved in it? involved as a trustee with the Philadelphia The biggest changes are in technology, Foreign Policy Research Institute. All Bob, let’s begin with your view on how the particularly the advent of digitisation, as

2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium 09 INTERVIEW NASA

One of the fi rst fl ights of the Bell-Boeing tiltrotor V-22 Osprey back in 1989.

well as the use of composites and other companies, has changed business priorities. Can I ask you to select and expand on up advanced materials to lower weight and Corporations now leverage the capabilities to three landmark moments in rotorcra improve survivability. e processes used by and market interest rotorcra bring to development during your career? manufacturers to improve quality and reduce increase their overall defense businesses. e development of the tiltrotor (speci cally or level out costs is also signi cant. More recently, the establishment of the V-22 Ospey and more recently the Because of digitisation, rotorcra are support businesses by the traditional AW609) and bringing them into production now a key element of the informational primes has resulted in a stronger link has to be the highlight. is is epitomised by node. is has heightened the importance between production and support in the  rst  ight of the V-22 in March 1989. is of rotorcra in the battle eld priority list as campaigns. is has changed traditional showed how di cult change can be within an exempli ed by their invaluable contribution ways of involving in-country suppliers. If industry, both politically and from a business to the Afghan and Iraq Wars. One result a prime is selling overseas it is essential standpoint. You had to be a visionary to of this is the rise of rotorcra o cers up to build local partnership arrangements believe this would succeed in light of the the chain of command exempli ed by Air in order to succeed. Due to the cost of developmental di culties that took place Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, the  rst product development, defence will still early on. I think tiltrotor advocates have to rotorcra pilot to rise to the rank of Chief of lead new commercial developments. ere be supremely con dent going forward as the Air Sta (July 2013-July 2016). would not be the Leonardo AW609 without follow-on military and commercial products, e emergence of Unmanned Aerial a proven and in production Bell-Boeing including UAVs, are now taking shape. Vehicles (UAVs) has been rapid and is already V-22. However, give Leonardo credit as it Second, the extension by way of a ecting how rotorcra are used and operated. is starting to ful ll the AW609s promise and programme design and modernisation of From a business standpoint, the it will be a boon to the commercial market. heritage  eets beginning in the early 1980s entrance of large corporations into the I also believe Airbus deserves signi cant and carrying on into the present day, to long- rotorcra business, e.g., Boeing, Lockheed, credit for funding new and innovative term platforms, such as Chinooks, Black Leonardo, Airbus, etc., as opposed to smaller commercial developments; a case-in-point Hawks and Apaches. is has proven to be rotorcra -focused  rms such as Vertol, being its X-6 series technology, which is a cost and operationally-e ective approach Sikorsky, Augusta and heritage Eurocopter part of a larger compound approach. to maintaining and modernising rotorcra

10 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium interview fleets. This has certainly brought affordability through-life-maintenance of a particular into the forefront in any rotorcraft platform fleet of military rotorcraft? conversation. Rotorcraft need a constant influx of parts and Finally, I’d say emerging globalisation sustainment support. A customer can’t just trends. Any large US-based OEM can’t expect buy the aircraft and not plan to maintain and Andrew Drwiega confidently to be able to sell its products Andrew Drwiega update their fleet. I believe that is why the without adequate industry involvement from various approaches to long-term customer a potential customer nation and I think if support that are starting to be featured by you ask European manufacturers they’d OEMs will continue to grow in popularity. tell you the same is true going the opposite direction. So I’d point to potential trans- Do you foresee a day in the next 20 years national programme efforts, some of which when all military rotorcraft will be did not succeed. unmanned? What effect is the proliferation in design of unmanned rotorcraft having What are the most common misconceptions on the manned ro-torcraft industry? between international government buyers I suspect there will always be a place for of military rotorcraft and the industry some piloted aircraft in fleets worldwide, OEMs/systems integrators during the although UAVs will become more and buying process? more predominant globally, particularly in To me this is straightforward. An OEM needs Editor Andrew Drwiega with Robert missions where the manned need may not to go to great lengths to understand the most Torgerson, London. be essential (straight forward cargo delivery) important customer requirement and who and in most likely in attack roles as warfare is the buying customer decision-maker. Is some combination of the three. The trick is becomes more lethal for rotorcraft platforms. the major need operational (lift, speed, to appropriately prioritise them so each bid range, time on station, etc.,); affordability, meets what is needed by the customer. Will the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme (to be able to fit within a budget?); and/ potentially be the last military specific or, the industrial needs of the buyer nation. What do government’s need to appreciate rotorcraft to leave the drawing board? Generally speaking, decisions usually involve more and manage better when it comes to Probably not. I would say that current

2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium 11 interview MoD

Sand and dust gets thrown up as a British unit deploy out of an RAF Chinook helicopter in Helmand Province during the war in Afghanistan

designs will remain in effect for decades to yet having the ability to retain the capacity for takes time and incremental improvements come and that they will most likely benefit vertical take-off and landing. are not as sexy as a space shot, however, from the FVL development. Moreover, the over time they can bring about significant UAV train has left the station and as those The rotorcraft industry was developed by improvements. Look at the nearly 60-year designs become more affordable, reliable pioneers including Juan de la Cierva, Igor design that is Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook: a and capable they will take over many roles Sikorsky, Frank Piasecki, Kikolai Kamov, nearly perfect design when you factor in the currently performed by manned aircraft. Charles Kaman, Arthur Young - with several combination of affordability and capability. companies founded in their name or as a It went originally from 33,000lb gross weight Both the Sikorsky-Boeing compound SB.1 result of their designs. Is there any ‘pioneering to what will soon be a 56,000lbs aircraft with Defiant and Bell tiltrotor V-280 Valor spirit’ left in the military rotorcraft industry, nearly triple the lift capability. Same general are arguably modern representations of and if so, where does it reside? comment can be made for the Sikorsky ideas and designs that surfaced in the There remains a lot of pioneering spirit in the CH-53 and the Aérospatiale (now Airbus) last century (thinking of Lockheed’s rotorcraft industry, both within major OEMs SA 330 Puma series. compound AH-56 Cheyenne Piaseki and within smaller companies, including It needs to be understood that just because helicopter and Bell’s XV-15 titrotor, first technology development firms. Regaring a silhouette remains the same, it doesn’t flown in 1967 and 1977 respectively). How your previous point about the SB.1 and mean there is not pioneering spirit within a will rotorcraft design go forward from V-280 designs is that one of the aspects of modernised design of a familiar rotorcraft. those we are seeing today? the helicopter that is often over-looked is There will be more emphasis on variations that a series of incremental improvements Note: Robert Torgerson is now an independent of compound designs in my view. It is the to existing designs can bring about a large rotorcraft business consultant in the Philadelphia perennial quest for better speed and payload in-crease in capability. Obviously this area.

12 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium RUSA UMS Skeldar

The UMS Skeldar 200 has been selected to participate in the European Defence Agency initiative OCEAN2020.

RUASRUAS PROGRESSPROGRESS INCREASESINCREASES MARITIMEMARITIME RELEVANCERELEVANCE As Rotary Unmanned Aerial Systems (RUAS) have improved in terms of range and load capability, they have moved into the tactical sphere encompassed by naval needs for Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA).

Andrew Drwiega

he utility and cost of acquiring and “The maritime environment is dominated employed with effect,” he explained. He noted deploying unmanned aerial systems by the horizon. Without high ground to that the increased capability and smaller size (UAS) is witnessing a steady increase occupy all ships have the same horizon of high sensor systems meant that a range of across the military, but particularly therefore all ships have the same range missions, not just military, can be prosecuted in the military maritime market. limitations at which to detect and understand, “from coast guard boarding parties to search THowever, it is the need for many navies “ noted Ewen Stockbridge Sime, UMS Skeldar’s and rescue to littoral survey. Hyper spectral to know more about what is over the horizon head of training, in a positioning document sensors can be used to detect pollution and that is a driving factor in USA development issued by the company in February. the emergence of ViDAR (Visual Detection and emplyment, particularly when their loiter “Improved lift capacity on this class of UAS and Ranging) gives real opportunity for time is substantially more than a manned has meant that, for the first time, maritime low weight, high resolution surface picture aircraft or helicopter. surface search radars can be carried and compilation at range.”

2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium 13 RUSA Leonardo

In March Leonardo’s SW-4 Solo, based on the Polish PZL-Swidnik SW-4, fl ew unmanned for the fi rst time for 45 minutes to a height of 1,500 ft (457m).

Sime makes the important point that due to the smaller size or some types of rotrary UAS, “small vessels can transport their own

organic air capability. Picket ships can extend Schiebel understanding further, small survey ships can understand better and coastguards can nd and help more e ectively.” UMS Skeldar’s contribution to this eld is the Vertical Take-O and Landing (VTOL) Skeldar 200, a Hirth heavy fuel engine that can use Jet A-1, JP5 and JP8, a kerosene-based fuel (NATO code F-34). UMS Skeldar states that the 200 has a includes a 518lb (235kg) take-o weight, with a payload up to 88lb (40kg). Schiebel’s Camcopter UMS Skeldar is one of the companies S-100 is being used by that have been selected to participate in the Royal Australian Navy the European Defence Agency initiative as it works towards the OCEAN2020.  is is a cross-European formation of a deployable UAS capability. military research programme which will employ ‘unmanned platforms of di erent types ( xed wing, rotary wing, surface and 42 partners from 15 European countries. of maritime surveillance and interdiction underwater) integrated with naval units’  ese include the Ministries of Defence of operations, which will be conducted by command and control centres to enable data Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Lithuania, European  eets using unmanned aircra , exchange via satellite with command and with additional support from the Ministries surface vessels and underwater systems. control centres on land.’ of Defence of Sweden, France, the United  e rst demonstration, scheduled to take Around $110 million (€90m) has been Kingdom, Estonia and the Netherlands. place in the Mediterranean Sea in 2019, will allocated for the Preparatory Action on Industrial partners include Indra, Safran, Saab, be coordinated by the Italian Navy.  e Defence Research (PADR), being spent over MBDA,PGZ/CTM, Hensoldt, Intracom-IDE, second, which will take place in 2020 in the three years between 2017-19. Fincantieri and QinetiQ. Baltic Sea, will be conducted by the Swedish Leonardo was awarded leadership of the As stated by Leonardo, the OCEAN2020 Navy.  e data collected during these two OCEAN2020 initiative, which comprises project will require ‘two live demonstrations demonstrations will be processed and sent to

14 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium 1,100+ attendees expected at UDT 2018

26–28 June 2018 SEC, Glasgow 80+ exhibiting companies

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MQ-8C: Two MQ-8C Fire Scout helicopters sit in the US Navy hangar bay of Independence- class littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8). The MQ-8C Fire Scout is a larger variant than the MQ-8B and provides longer endurance, range and greater payload capability.

a prototype European Command and control its Camcopter S-100 unmanned air system The flying and verification programme centre in Brussels.’ (UAS) to the international market. It has had was conducted at the Jervis Bay airfield in Leonardo’s Hero and Solo unmanned particular succes within the naval community, New South Wales. The S-100 JP-5 (NATO rotorcraft will be used during the first as witnessed by the Royal Australian Navy’s F-44) heavy fuel powered S-100 had a Wescam demonstration with the Italian Navy in the (RAN) announcement in February 2017 that MX-10S payload which delivered images from Mediterranean. The SD-150 Hero is a heavy it had awarded Schiebel a contract to supply a distance of around 60 nautical miles (NM) fuel engine Short Range Tactical Rotary the S-100 and three year of contractor logistics and at altitudes exceeding 10,000ft (3,048m) Unmanned Air Vehicle (RUAV), with an support. RAN contract manager Kevin Beare endurance over five hours over a range of The RAN has been testing the heavy stated that the S-100 had “performed very 540km. It has a range speed of around 80 knots fuel varient of the S-100 during customer well during the validation and verification (144km/h) but for an endurance mission 50kts acceptance trials undertaken recently. The program and the RAN looks forward to (90km/h) would be more applicable. acquisition of the S-100 has taken place utilising this platform to achieve NMP1942 The SW-4 Solo, based on the Polish PZL- through the Navy Minor Project (NMP) project objectives over the coming years.” Swidnik SW-4 light single engine helicopter, 1942, a programme to procure and develop is currently an Optionally Piloted Helicopter a vertical takeoff and landing Maritime I NEW PRETENDER (OPH) but can be converted to a rotary UAS Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System – Interim Airbus Helicopters is developing its own rotary within an hour. In early March Leonardo Capability (MTUASIC). The intent is to UAS for naval maritime deployment called announced that the SW-4 Solo had flown develop a mature UAS fleet for the RAN by Vertivision Surveillance Rotorcraft (VSR) totally unmanned for the first time, for a the early 2020s. 700 (for its weight at 700kg). The VSR700 is period of 45 minutes to a height of 1,500 ft Most shipborne operaitons currently derived from a Helicoptères Guimbal Cabri (457m) and up to a maximum speed of 60kts come under the short-range tactical capability G2 helicopter, a light, single-engine, diesel- (111km/h). and the company states that it Camcopter powered rotorcraft. A flight/loiter time of up S-100 has flown from over 30 types of ships to ten hours is expected with a fuel burn of I TRIED AND TESTED in a variety of environments. This system around 15kg per hour. This is with a payload Austrian manufacturer Schiebel continues to maturity was what the RAN was seeking in of around 250kg, likely to comprise EO/IR demonstrate constant progess with bringing making its selection. sensors and radar.

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Airbus is talking to the French Navy the ARH-70. However, the programme was regarding the VSR700 and its potential use cancelled by the Army in 2008. It has a four- by new medium-sized frigates. It completed bladed rotor with a maximum speed of around OPVs trails in June 2017 proving the 135kts (250km/h), an operational height up to integration of Airbus Helicopters’  ight 16,000 (4,876m) and a maximum internal control system with the aerial vehicle. payload up to 500lbs (226kg). In January this year the DGA (Direction Latest reports state that the Navy’s ON THE COVER: On 18 December Bell’s V-280 Valor tiltrotor made its fi rst fl ight has achieved fi rst fl ight at Amarillo, Texas. It has been générale de l’armement) awarded a technology MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS will be  tted with designed for the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift requirement. It will have a cruise speed of 280 knots (520 km/h), a range of 2,100 development contract to the Naval Group and Leonardo Osprey 30 Active Electronically nautical miles (3,900 km), Expected maximum takeoff weight is Airbus Helicopters consortium.  e objective Scanned Array (AESA) radar together around 30,000lb (13,600kg). © Bell is to create a demonstrator that can be trailed with a 16 datalink. Leonardo describes the Military Rotorcraft by the French Navy onboard a vessel. It would Osprey as a multi-mode surveillance radar Supplement to Issue 2/2018 also trail associated mission systems. which is particularly suited to maritime Volume 42, Issue 2, April/May 2018 According to an Airbus statement, this challenges. Its features include: an AESA- is published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd. capability would contribute towards ‘the enabled small target mode (STM); high Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd. preparation of the SDAM (Navy Airborne resolution wide swath SAR mapping; small Publishing Offi ce: Media Transasia Ltd., Drone System), whose entry into service is radar cross section (RCS), low minimum 1603, 16/F, Island Place Tower, 510 King’s Road, Hong Kong Editor: Andrew Drwiega foreseen for the middle of the next decade on detectable velocity (MDV), multi-channel Chairman: J.S. Uberoi new Intermediate-Size Frigates (FTIs)’ and moving target indication (MTI); and air-to- President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul potentially other French warships. air surveillance, track and intercept. Chief Financial Offi cer: Gaurav Kumar General Manager: Jakhongir Djalmetov  e aim of the project would be to develop Such capabilities will allow the USN to International Marketing Manager: Roman Durksen ‘a demonstrator of the complete system in use the MQ-8C as a forward sensor which can Digital Manager: David Siriphonphutakun Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Wajiraprakan Punyajai a representative environment.’  e Naval feed ISR information back to the surface  eet Graphic Designer: Khakanaa Suwannawong Group and Airbus Helicopters will have the which would be able to use modern weapons Production Manager: Kanda Thanakornwongskul responsibility of programme design authority, to engage targets at this greater range. Circulation Assistant: Yupadee Seabea working with the main subcontractors of  e MQ-8C will be integrated with the Advertising Sales Offi ces ■ FRANCE/SPAIN Hélicoptères Guimbal, Safran,  ales and Johns Hopkins-developed Minotaur Track Stephane de Remusat, REM International ONERA. Management and Mission Management Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130 E-Mail: [email protected] Sea trials of a manned Cabri G2 have system that collates data from several di erent ■ GERMANY already been conducted onbaord a French sensors to provide a uni ed target picture to a Sam Baird, Whitehill Media Tel: (44-1883) 715 697, Mob: (44-7770) 237 646 Navy air defence frigate to order to de ne USN battle group. E-Mail: [email protected] the VSR700’s  ight envelope for shipborne According to Jack  omas, director ■ TURKEY / EASTERN EUROPE / UK Zena Coupé operations. of Tactical Autonomous Systems Mission Tel: +44 1923 852537, [email protected] Engineering at Northrop Grumman ■ NORDIC COUNTRIES/ITALY/SWITZERLAND I BIGGER, BOLDER Aerospace Systems, the Fire Scout with Link 16 Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg Tel: (46) 31 799 9028  e US Navy’s Northrop Grumman MQ-8C operating with a  eet of ships “is a key enabler E-Mail: [email protected] Fire Scout, based on a Bell 407 helicopter, is a to that capability and requires no additional ■ RUSSIA Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, US Navy programme to provide an unmanned modi cation to any of the other platforms.” Tel/Fax: (7 3832) 180 885, Mob: (7 960) 783 6653 VTOL rotorcra as part of its concept for He continued: “We certainly see Fire Scout Email :[email protected] ■ USA (EAST/SOUTH EAST)/CANADA (EAST) distributed maritime operations.  e MQ-8C as the long-range, high-endurance sensor Margie Brown, Blessall Media, LLC. would be ship-based on the US Navy’s (USN) that does the detecting and identi cation that Tel : (+1 540) 341 7581 Email: [email protected] future frigate or Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will shorten that cycle from initial detection ■ USA (WEST/SOUTH WEST)/BRAZIL/CANADA (WEST) and would use onboard sensor equipment to through to managing that track.” Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc Tel : (+1 858) 759 3557 extend the range of the ship’s own onboard In December 2017, Fire Scout programme Email: [email protected] Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance director at Northrop Grumman Aerospace ■ ALL OTHER COUNTRIES (ISR) capabilities. Systems Melissa Packwood stated that the Jakhongir Djalmetov Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mob: +66 81 6455654  e USN has selected a platform based USN had acquired 30 MQ-8Cs for its LCS Email: [email protected] on the existing Bell 407 manned helicopter, programme. Early in 2018, the US government Roman Durksen, Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mob: +66 9 8252 6243 E-Mail: [email protected] which has had over four million  ight hours announced a $33.5m modi cation to its Annual subscription rates: logged by owners and users since its  rst previous contract with the company for the Europe: CHF 222 (including postage)  ight in 1996.  e Bell 407 frame was also put further delivery of three Fire Scout MQ-8C Rest of the World: USD 222 (including postage) forward by Bell Helicopter for the US Army UAS with a completion date set for March Controlled circulation: 25,118 (average per issue) certifi ed by ABC Hong Kong, for the period reconnaissance heliopter replacement as 2020. 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016. Printed by Media Transasia Ltd., 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, I INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1 Subscription Information: Readers should contact the ADEX 9 ILA COVER 4 following address: Subscription Department, BALT MILITARY COVER 3 INDO DEFENCE 11 Media Transasia Ltd., 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, HOUSE AD 17 ROHDE & SCHWARZ 7 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Tel +66 2204 2370 Fax: +66 2204 2387 IAI COVER 2 UDT 15 Email: [email protected] www.armadainternational.com 18 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium BALT MILITARY EXPO 15TH BALTIC MILITARY FAIR

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