A military helicopter is a helicopter that is either specifically built or converted for use by military forces . A military helicopter's mission is a function of its design or conversion. The most common use of military helicopters is transport of troops , but transport helicopters can be modified or converted to perform other missions such as combat search and rescue (CSAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), airborne command post, or even armed with weapons for attacking ground targets. Specialized military helicopters are intended to conduct specific missions. Examples of specialized military helicopters are attack helicopters , observation helicopters and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters.
120-606: Future Vertical Lift ( FVL ) is a plan to develop a family of military helicopters for the United States Armed Forces . Five different sizes of aircraft are to be developed, sharing common hardware such as sensors, avionics, engines, and countermeasures. The U.S. Army has been considering the program since 2004. FVL is meant to develop replacements for the Army's UH-60 Black Hawk , AH-64 Apache , CH-47 Chinook , and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. The precursor for FVL
240-415: A ' brewery horse ' could produce 32,400 foot-pounds [43,929 J] per minute." James Watt and Matthew Boulton standardized that figure at 33,000 foot-pounds (44,742 J) per minute the next year. A common legend states that the unit was created when one of Watt's first customers, a brewer, specifically demanded an engine that would match a horse, and chose the strongest horse he had and driving it to
360-607: A Dakota and act as "beaters" to drive the guerillas into stop groups landed by the helicopters. During the Troubles , the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) became adept at avoiding conventional, fixed roadblocks and patrols. To prevent predictable patterns, the patrols were deployed by helicopter, known as Eagle Patrols, and were then able to disrupt the IRA's ability to move personnel and arms. In
480-531: A combat radius of 263 mi (424 km) with an overall unrefueled range of 527 mi (848 km). Mission sets are to include cargo transport, utility, armed scout, attack, humanitarian assistance, medical evacuation , anti-submarine warfare , anti-surface warfare , land/sea search and rescue, special warfare support, vertical replenishment, airborne mine countermeasures , and others. The FVL family of aircraft will be required to have either optionally piloted or autonomous flight capabilities. In March 2013,
600-409: A combat range of 500 to 800 nmi (580–920 mi; 930–1,480 km). It features a V-tail, a large cell carbon core wing with a composite fuselage, triple redundant fly-by-wire flight control system, retractable landing gear, and two six-foot-wide (1.8 m) side doors for ease of access. The V-280 is unusual in that only the rotor system tilts, but not the engines. The planned demonstrator
720-553: A cost-cutting measure some nations and services have been tempted to use what are essentially commercial helicopters for military purposes. For example, it has been reported that China is carrying out a rapid enlargement of its assault helicopter regiments with the civilian version of the Russian Mil Mi-17 . These helicopters without armour and electronic counter measures will function well enough for training exercises and photo opportunities but would be suicidal to deploy in
840-709: A distance of 2,100 nmi (2,400 mi; 3,900 km). AVX considers its position as a smaller company (with 25 employees, some of which worked on the V-22) to its advantage without a legacy or burden of overhead attributes like larger defense corporations; if selected to supply an aircraft, AVX will likely have a teaming arrangement with another company that can handle assembly, integration, and production support. Like Sikorsky, AVX considers coaxials as unsuitable for heavy-lift, and suggests their tiltrotor instead for Capability Set 4 (Chinook replacement). Karem Aircraft proposed to design an optimum-speed tiltrotor (OSTR), designated
960-566: A flight demonstration. Even with the prospect of sequestration returning in FY 2016, the JMR program will likely be spared from cuts or cancellation due to the Army's support of research and development programs. The demonstrator aircraft will have a lifespan of 200 flight hours, and the Army's budget is $ 240 million. In July 2014 the Army decided which two competitors would proceed to Phase One, but will hold program discussions with all four parties to determine
1080-429: A group of engineers modified a dynometer to be able to measure how much horsepower a horse can produce. This horse was measured to 5.7 hp (4.3 kW). When torque T is in pound-foot units, rotational speed N is in rpm , the resulting power in horsepower is The constant 5252 is the rounded value of (33,000 ft⋅lbf/min)/(2π rad/rev). When torque T is in inch-pounds, The constant 63,025
1200-530: A healthy human can produce about 1.2 hp (0.89 kW) briefly (see orders of magnitude ) and sustain about 0.1 hp (0.075 kW) indefinitely; trained athletes can manage up to about 2.5 hp (1.9 kW) briefly and 0.35 hp (0.26 kW) for a period of several hours. The Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt produced a maximum of 3.5 hp (2.6 kW) 0.89 seconds into his 9.58 second 100-metre (109.4 yd) sprint world record in 2009. In 2023
1320-572: A panel of aviation experts advised personnel from the FVL initiative how to avoid mistakes made by previous acquisition efforts, namely the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The panel had three suggestions: split the program into different manageable pieces; use the expertise of the commercial helicopter industry; and secure early support from the U.S. Congress . FVL is seeking to develop four separate lift classes, which may even become five if
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#17327729154851440-856: A program dispute from the Sikorsky-Boeing team. The SB-1 Defiant (or "SB>1") is the Sikorsky Aircraft and Boeing entry for the program. It is a compound helicopter with rigid coaxial rotors and two Honeywell T55 engines. Its first flight took place in March 2019. In January 2021, Sikorsky-Boeing announced the Defiant X variant, specifically designed for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program. In February 2022, Sikorsky-Boeing picked Honeywell's new HTS7500 turboshaft engine, which will replace
1560-636: A reasonable path forward before announcing the winners, which is expected to occur in late August or early September 2014. Earlier in July, the Army selected the Boeing-Sikorsky team to develop the Joint Common Architecture (JCA) standard "digital backbone" through which mission systems will be integrated into the FVL system's design. On 11 August 2014, the Army informed the Sikorsky-Boeing and Bell-Lockheed teams that they had chosen
1680-626: A rotorcraft for the program. On 6 August 2013, Lockheed Martin said it will offer a new mission equipment package to meet the requirements for the JMR/FVL program. Lockheed Martin will incorporate future airborne capability environment software standards into the aircraft's cockpit and mission systems to use their avionics, weapons, and sensors like the F-35 helmet . Boeing and other companies are expected to offer rival sets of avionics. On 9 September 2013, Bell announced Lockheed would be teaming with them on
1800-619: A single propeller on the back. Bell is offering the V-280 Valor tiltrotor. Karem Aircraft is offering a tiltrotor with optimum-speed rotors, allowing the aircraft to speed or slow the propellers depending on speed or efficiency demands. Similar technology was used on the A160 Hummingbird . JMR-TD is to develop and demonstrate an operationally representative mix of capabilities, technologies, and interfaces to investigate realistic design trades and enabling technologies. The TIAs give
1920-803: A stabilised mount along with multi-function lasers capable of acting as laser rangefinder and targeting designators for weapons systems. By nature of the mission, the observation helicopter's primary weapons are its sensor suite and communications equipment. Early observation helicopters were effective at calling for artillery fire and airstrikes . With modern sensor suites, they are also able to provide terminal guidance to anti-tank guided weapons, laser-guided bombs and other missiles and munitions fired by other armed aircraft. Observation helicopters may also be armed with combinations of gun and rocket pods and sometimes anti-tank guided missiles or air-to-air missiles , but in smaller quantities than larger attack helicopters. Primarily, these weapons were intended for
2040-454: A weakness. Emplaced insurgents and local sympathisers may observe such facilities covertly and gather intelligence on the schedules and routes of patrols and convoys. With this intelligence the insurgents can time their operations to avoid the COIN forces or plan ambushes to engage them, depending on their own tactical situation. Helicopters return a measure of surprise and tactical flexibility to
2160-452: Is a multi-purpose helicopter . A utility military helicopter can fill roles such as ground attack , air assault , military logistics , medical evacuation , command and control , and troop transport . While not essential to combat operations, helicopters give a substantial advantage to their operators by being a force multiplier . To maximise their impact, helicopters are utilised in a combined arms approach. High-intensity warfare
2280-420: Is also used in many places to symbolize brake horsepower. Drawbar power (dbp) is the power a railway locomotive has available to haul a train or an agricultural tractor to pull an implement. This is a measured figure rather than a calculated one. A special railway car called a dynamometer car coupled behind the locomotive keeps a continuous record of the drawbar pull exerted, and the speed. From these,
2400-646: Is characterized by large arrays of conventional armed forces, including mass formations of tanks , with significant air defenses. Helicopter armament and tactics were changed to account for a less-permissive flight environment. Anti-tank missiles , such as the SS.11 and the Aérospatiale SS.12/AS.12 were developed and mounted on French military helicopters. In turn, the United States adapted its BGM-71 TOW for firing from helicopters and eventually developed
2520-408: Is desired. Specifications are for a design capable of performing both medium utility and attack missions, with a 230 kn (260 mph; 430 km/h) cruising speed, and of hovering at 6,000 ft (1,800 m) in 95 °F (35 °C) temperatures. After the flight tests and technology development, JMR will end and a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued open to all companies to begin
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#17327729154852640-463: Is equivalent to a boiler heat output of 33,469 Btu/h (9.809 kW). Present industrial practice is to define "boiler horsepower" as a boiler thermal output equal to 33,475 Btu/h (9.811 kW), which is very close to the original and revised definitions. Boiler horsepower is still used to measure boiler output in industrial boiler engineering in the US. Boiler horsepower is abbreviated BHP, which
2760-454: Is equivalent to a boiler heat output of 33,485 Btu/h (9.813 kW). A few years later in 1884, the ASME re-defined the boiler horsepower as the thermal output equal to the evaporation of 34.5 pounds per hour of water "from and at" 212 °F (100 °C). This considerably simplified boiler testing, and provided more accurate comparisons of the boilers at that time. This revised definition
2880-488: Is flying unmanned (October 2019); it logged 100 hours of flight testing by April 2019. Both Bell and Sikorsky-Boeing received contract awards to compete in a risk reduction effort (CDRRE) for FLRAA in March 2020. The risk reduction effort will be a 2-phase, 2-year competition. The competition will transition technologies (powertrain, drivetrain and control laws) from the previous demonstrators (JMR-TDs) of 2018–2019 to requirements, conceptual designs, and acquisition approach for
3000-543: Is focused on creating a medium utility rotorcraft airframe, while phase II will develop mission systems and software although integration with airframes is not planned and thus will not be flying. Submissions for JMR evaluations were to be entered by the four competitors by June 2014, with the Army selecting two to build demonstrators to fly between 2017 and 2019, but the Army may choose a non-JMR vehicle for FVL, and may pursue different types for different FVL classes. Commonality of systems across vehicles and across military units
3120-484: Is in psi, and flow rate is in US gallons per minute. Drilling rigs are powered mechanically by rotating the drill pipe from above. Hydraulic power is still needed though, as 1 500 to 5 000 W are required to push mud through the drill bit to clear waste rock. Additional hydraulic power may also be used to drive a down-hole mud motor to power directional drilling . When using SI units, the equation becomes coherent and there
3240-573: Is intentionally slow-paced partly due to the challenges seen in the Joint Strike Fighter program and failures of past programs like Future Combat Systems , which was cancelled after complex requirements could not be met within established budgets and timelines. A contract for a joint common architecture standard was to be awarded in July 2014 for lab-based testing, and the FVL RFP is to be issued in 2019. The Sikorsky-Boeing team submitted
3360-476: Is medium-size and carries four crew members and 14 troops. It is to be built at 92 percent scale or larger. Bell says they are investing four times the government's amount. Bell has suggested that their design could be ready for other services' helicopter replacement programs before the Army is ready to award a bid. On December 5, 2022, the Army selected Bell Textron for the FLRAA contract award, with GAO overriding
3480-465: Is needed to pull a drawbar load of 2,025 pounds-force at 5 miles per hour? { P } h p = 2025 × 5 375 = 27. {\displaystyle \{P\}_{\mathrm {hp} }={\frac {2025\times 5}{375}}=27.} The constant 375 is because 1 hp = 375 lbf⋅mph. If other units are used, the constant is different. When using coherent SI units (watts, newtons, and metres per second), no constant
3600-507: Is needed, and the formula becomes P = Fv . This formula may also be used to calculate the power of a jet engine, using the speed of the jet and the thrust required to maintain that speed. Example: how much power is generated with a thrust of 4000 pounds at 400 miles per hour? { P } h p = 4000 × 400 375 = 4266.7. {\displaystyle \{P\}_{\mathrm {hp} }={\frac {4000\times 400}{375}}=4266.7.} This measure
3720-434: Is no dividing constant. where pressure is in pascals (Pa), and flow rate is in cubic metres per second (m ). Boiler horsepower is a boiler 's capacity to deliver steam to a steam engine and is not the same unit of power as the 550 ft lb/s definition. One boiler horsepower is equal to the thermal energy rate required to evaporate 34.5 pounds (15.6 kg) of fresh water at 212 °F (100 °C) in one hour. In
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3840-450: Is ordinarily stated in watts or kilowatts. In the United States, the power output is stated in horsepower which, for this purpose, is defined as exactly 746 W. Hydraulic horsepower can represent the power available within hydraulic machinery , power through the down-hole nozzle of a drilling rig , or can be used to estimate the mechanical power needed to generate a known hydraulic flow rate. It may be calculated as where pressure
3960-405: Is placed around the pilots, engines, transmission, and fuel tanks. Fuel lines, control cables and power to the tail rotor may also be shrouded by Kevlar armour. The most heavily armoured helicopters are attack, assault and special forces helicopters. In transport helicopters the crew compartment may or may not be fully armoured, a compromise being to give the passengers Kevlar lined seats but to leave
4080-553: Is planned to be capable of being optionally manned. The utility and attack versions will have 90% commonality and fly at the same speed. Test aircraft will be equipped with current GE T706 engines, but AVX is looking to equip their design with the Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine with its higher 4,800 hp (3,600 kW) output. AVX has teamed with Rockwell Collins , General Electric , and BAE Systems . It features entry doors on both sides of
4200-534: Is that personnel and cargo can be moved to and from locations without requiring a runway for takeoffs and landings. Cargo is carried either internally, or externally by slung load where the load is suspended from an attachment point underneath the aircraft. Personnel are primarily loaded and unloaded while the helicopter is on the ground. However, when the terrain restricts even helicopters from landing, personnel may also be picked up and dropped off using specialized devices, such as rescue hoists or special rope lines, while
4320-549: Is the Joint Multi-Role ( JMR ) helicopter program. After a decade of combat from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom , the U.S. Department of Defense found that the U.S. Army's rotorcraft fleet was wearing out. Combat operations made the helicopters fly five times more often than in peacetime. Manufacturers have been remanufacturing and upgrading existing families of aircraft without creating original platforms. The Future Vertical Lift (FVL) concept
4440-743: Is the approximation of Assuming the third CGPM (1901, CR 70) definition of standard gravity , g n = 9.80665 m/s , is used to define the pound-force as well as the kilogram force, and the international avoirdupois pound (1959), one imperial horsepower is: Or given that 1 hp = 550 ft⋅lbf/s, 1 ft = 0.3048 m, 1 lbf ≈ 4.448 N, 1 J = 1 N⋅m, 1 W = 1 J/s: 1 hp ≈ 745.7 W The various units used to indicate this definition ( PS , KM , cv , hk , pk , k , ks and ch ) all translate to horse power in English. British manufacturers often intermix metric horsepower and mechanical horsepower depending on
4560-421: Is to be built at 75% scale. It is capable of flying at 230 kn (260 mph; 430 km/h), with 40% lift from the small forward wings and 60% from the 56-foot (17 m) rotors. Half the drag of the design comes from the fuselage and half from the rotor system, so wind tunnel tests are aiming to reduce drag by a third. The rotor system has two composite-flexbeam hubs with drag-reducing aerodynamic fairings on
4680-425: Is to create a new rotorcraft that uses new technology, materials, and designs that are quicker, have longer range and higher payload capacity, are more reliable, easier to maintain and operate, have lower operating costs, and can reduce logistical footprints. FVL is to create a family of systems to replace most Army helicopters. The Joint Multi-Role (JMR) phases will provide technology demonstrations. JMR-TD will develop
4800-624: The AGM-114 Hellfire . Meanwhile, the Soviet Union adapted the 3M11 Falanga missile for firing from the Mil Mi-24 . In the air, attack helicopters armed with anti-tank missiles, and one or more unarmed, or lightly armed scout helicopters operate in concert. The scout helicopter, flying at low level in a nap-of-the-earth approach, attempts to both locate the enemy armoured columns and to map out approaches and ambush positions for
4920-679: The Combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission. Some services use a version of their operational helicopters, usually in the light class, for pilot training. For example, the British have used the Aérospatiale Gazelle both in operations and as a trainer. Some services also have an ab initio phase in training that uses very basic helicopters. The Mexican Navy has acquired a number of the commercially available Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters for this purpose. A utility helicopter
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5040-617: The Honeywell T55 engine that powered the SB-1 Defiant technology demonstrator platform informing the Defiant X offering. The HTS7500 is rated at 7,500 horsepower and is 42% more powerful with an 18% reduction in specific fuel consumption and weighs less than the T55 engine. AVX Aircraft proposed an aircraft with their coaxial rotor and twin ducted fan design that provides better steering and some additional forward power. Their JMR-TD
5160-697: The Mil Mi-28 N, the Kamov Ka-52 , and the AH-64D Longbow , incorporate sensors and command and control systems to relieve the requirement for scout helicopters. To enhance the combat endurance of these missile-armed helicopters, transport helicopters were used to carry technicians, reloads and fuel to forward locations. Establishing these forward arming and refuel points (FARP) at pre-arranged locations and times allowed armed or attack helicopters to re-arm and refuel, often with their engines running and
5280-563: The aftermath of the American invasion of Iraq helicopters have been used as aerial supply trucks and troop transports to prevent exposure to ambushes set by the Iraqi insurgency . Due to the cost and complexity of training and support requirements, insurgent forces rarely have access to helicopters. The major Western European helicopter manufacturers are Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly AgustaWestland ) and Eurocopter Group . In North America,
5400-485: The imperial horsepower as in "hp" or "bhp" which is about 745.7 watts , and the metric horsepower as in "cv" or "PS" which is approximately 735.5 watts. The term was adopted in the late 18th century by Scottish engineer James Watt to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses . It was later expanded to include the output power of other power-generating machinery such as piston engines , turbines , and electric motors . The definition of
5520-781: The kilowatt as the official power-measuring unit in EEC directives. Other names for the metric horsepower are the Italian cavallo vapore (cv) , Dutch paardenkracht (pk) , the French cheval-vapeur (ch) , the Spanish caballo de vapor and Portuguese cavalo-vapor (cv) , the Russian лошадиная сила (л. с.) , the Swedish hästkraft (hk) , the Finnish hevosvoima (hv) ,
5640-611: The licensed production of those companies products, whilst building up their own ability to design and manufacture helicopters through a process of workshare and technology transfer. In India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is the main helicopter manufacturer for the Indian Armed Forces . In the Soviet planned economic system, the Mil and Kamov OKBs were responsible only for the design of helicopters. A re-organisation of
5760-501: The 1926 Iowa State Fair , they reported that the peak power over a few seconds has been measured to be as high as 14.88 hp (11.10 kW) and also observed that for sustained activity, a work rate of about 1 hp (0.75 kW) per horse is consistent with agricultural advice from both the 19th and 20th centuries and also consistent with a work rate of about four times the basal rate expended by other vertebrates for sustained activity. When considering human-powered equipment ,
5880-627: The 1960s, the development of the turboshaft engine and transistor technology changed the face of maritime helicopter aviation. The turboshaft engine allowed smaller helicopters, such as the Westland Wasp , to operate from smaller vessels than their reciprocating engine predecessors. The introduction of transistors allowed helicopters, such as the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King , to be equipped with integral dunking sonar , radar and magnetic anomaly detection equipment. The result
6000-815: The Army asked the industry to submit proposals for an effort called the Alternative Engine Conceptual Design and Analysis. Although formal requirements for the FVL family of systems had not yet been set, they will need to have hover, speed, range, payload, and fuel efficiency characteristics "beyond any current rotorcraft". This may require an aircraft that can hover at 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and cruise at 30,000 feet (9,100 m). Capabilities include good hover maneuverability at high altitude. The engine will require alternative, advanced engine/power system configurations that enable enhanced mission capability, such as improved time on station, increased mission radius, and quieter operation. Due to
6120-498: The Army billions of dollars over the course procurement and sustainment, eliminating the need to train maintenance staff, trainers, and personnel in multiple systems. One component is a helmet derived from the one used on the F-35 Lightning II using distributed aperture technology that uses integrated sensors to enable pilots to view "through" the aircraft. Bell Helicopter proposed a third-generation tiltrotor design for
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#17327729154856240-535: The Army for the Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) phase. The Army classified the offering as a Category I proposal, meaning it is a well-conceived, scientifically or technically sound proposal pertinent to program goals and objectives with applicability to Army mission needs, offered by a responsible contractor with the competent scientific and technical staff supporting resources required to achieve results. The Boeing-Sikorsky team, pitching
6360-579: The Army's Apache and Black Hawk designs are entirely different, the Marines' UH-1Y Venom utility and AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters have 85 percent parts commonality despite using different airframes. Money and time could be saved by using available technologies from commercial helicopter manufacturers, which was impossible to do with the high-performance F-35. Even though the JSF has secured international partners and FVL has none, partners would be welcomed once
6480-432: The British, Spanish, and Italian navies, the larger helicopters form the main anti-submarine strength of carrier air wings. When operating from shore bases, the helicopters are used as anti-submarine pickets to protect against hostile submarines loitering outside military ports and harbours; their endurance and payload providing advantages over smaller helicopters. Soviet maritime helicopters, operating from its cruisers, had
6600-706: The COIN commander. Patrols need not start and end in the same place (the main entrance of the local compound), nor do supply convoys need follow the same roads and highways. During the Rhodesian Bush War , the Rhodesian military developed and refined " Fireforce " tactics, using small flights of light helicopters, the helicopters would be equipped as gunships to directly attack insurgents with aerial gunfire and also as either an airborne command/observation post or troop transport. Once contact had been established against enemy guerillas paratroopers would be dropped by
6720-620: The Deputy Secretary of Defense issued the FVL Strategic Plan to outline a joint approach for the next generation vertical lift aircraft for all military services. The Strategic Plan provided a foundation for replacing the current fleet with advanced capability by shaping the development of vertical lift aircraft for the next 25 to 40 years. It indicates 80 percent of decision points for the DoD vertical lift fleet to either extend
6840-861: The Estonian hobujõud (hj) , the Norwegian and Danish hestekraft (hk) , the Hungarian lóerő (LE) , the Czech koňská síla and Slovak konská sila (k or ks ), the Serbo-Croatian konjska snaga (KS) , the Bulgarian конска сила , the Macedonian коњска сила (KC) , the Polish koń mechaniczny (KM) ( lit. ' mechanical horse ' ), Slovenian konjska moč (KM) ,
6960-744: The FARA program was cancelled; after expending $ 2 billion on its development, the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army announced that the $ 5 billion that had been allocated for FARA's future development for the next five years would be spent on Black Hawks, on the CH-47F Block II Chinook cargo helicopter, on the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), and on research and development for unmanned aerial reconnaissance capability. The effective use of drones in Ukraine
7080-481: The FVL program, which was ultimately selected for the FLRAA contract award. Bell sought partners for financial and technological support, although the company did not require assistance. In April 2013, Bell revealed its tiltrotor design, named the Bell V-280 Valor. It is designed to have a cruise speed of 280 knots (320 mph; 520 km/h), range of 2,100 nautical miles (2,400 mi; 3,900 km), and
7200-548: The LZ. The advantage of air assault over an airborne assault is the ability of the helicopters to continually resupply the force during the operation, as well as to transport the personnel and equipment to their previous location, or a follow-on location if the mission dictates. The first reconnaissance and observation aircraft were balloons, followed by light airplanes, such as the Taylorcraft L-2 and Fieseler Fi 156 . As
7320-483: The Longbow radar system, but not enough sets have been bought to equip the whole force. The systems can be fitted to only those airframes that need it, or when finances allow the purchase of enough units. Most military helicopters are armoured to some extent; however, all equipment is limited to the installed power and lift capability and the limits installed equipment places on useful payload. The most extensive armour
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#17327729154857440-409: The SB-1 Defiant and V-280 Valor to continue with the JMR demonstration program. The aircraft designs show the Army is pursuing both coaxial and tilt-rotor designs, and preferring larger and established contractors over the smaller entries. AVX Aircraft says it is still in negotiations with the Army and believes they can still continue with some level of work on the program. Official word of the downselect
7560-437: The SB-1 Defiant design and risk report to the Army in mid-June for JMR. The Army is looking at five criteria to downselect JMR-TD entries: how much the design advances the services' science and technology goals; whether the design meets performance specifications; how well the demonstrator validates specifications; whether the competitor has kept to their schedule; and whether the company has the skills and competency to carry out
7680-635: The TR36, intending to start testing rotors around 2018. EADS was planning to submit a proposal for the JMR Phase I demonstration, expected to have been based on the Eurocopter X³ , but withdrew in late May 2013 because Eurocopter might have to transfer X³ intellectual property to the US, and to focus on its bids for the Armed Aerial Scout program (later cancelled). The company also said
7800-853: The TR36TD demonstrator. It would have had twin 36-foot-diameter (11 m) variable-speed rotors powered by existing turboshaft engines. The production version of the TR36D would have had a level flight speed of 360 kn (410 mph; 670 km/h). Karem says its variable-speed OSTR configuration offers advantages in weight, drive train, and aerodynamic and propulsive efficiency. It has high speed, "robust" hover performance at altitude, higher climb rate and sustained maneuverability, and longer range than other vertical-takeoff-and-landing configurations. They also say it offers reduced complexity, inherent safety advantages, simplified maintenance, and low total ownership cost. As of 2016, Karem continues to work on versions of
7920-667: The Ukrainian кінська сила (к. с.) , the Romanian cal-putere (CP) , and the German Pferdestärke (PS) . In the 19th century, revolutionary-era France had its own unit used to replace the cheval vapeur (horsepower); based on a 100 kgf ⋅m/s standard, it was called the poncelet and was abbreviated p . Tax or fiscal horsepower is a non-linear rating of a motor vehicle for tax purposes. Tax horsepower ratings were originally more or less directly related to
8040-719: The United States to rescue downed aircrews and injured personnel in remote areas of the China Burma India Theater , from April 1944 until the war's end. The use of helicopters for rescue during combat increased during the Korean War and the Algerian War . In the Vietnam War the USAF acquired Sikorsky S-61R (Jolly Green Giant) and Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion (Super Jolly Green Giant) helicopters for
8160-611: The V-280. On 2 October 2013, the U.S. Army awarded technology investment agreements (IIA) to AVX Aircraft, Bell Helicopters, Karem Aircraft and Sikorsky Aircraft under the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator Phase I program. There are two general types of proposals: tiltrotors with rotors that serve as both rotors and conventional propellers, and compound helicopters that use vertical rotors and separate rear-mounted propellers. AVX and Sikorsky are offering compound designs with two counter-rotating rotors to provide vertical lift. For forward movement, AVX uses two ducted fans and Sikorsky uses
8280-512: The VTDP with a conventional tail rotor produced the 160 kn (180 mph; 300 km/h) version, which was slower but was lighter, cheaper, and could better handle external-lift or vertical-replenishment missions. The Piasecki entry was not selected for the Joint Multi-Role phase of the program. As of 2016, Piasecki has other funding to update the X-49, and intends to offer a winged compound helicopter design for FVL. On 5 June 2013, Bell announced that its V-280 Valor design had been selected by
8400-557: The additional role of guidance of the cruisers' long range anti-shipping missiles. Maritime helicopters are navalised aircraft for operation from ships. This includes enhanced protection against salt water corrosion , protection against ingestion of water, and provision for forced ditching at sea. As helicopters came into military service, they were quickly pressed into service for search and rescue and medical evacuation . During World War II, Flettner Fl 282s were used in Germany for reconnaissance , and Sikorsky R-4s were used by
8520-488: The aerial platform; JMR Phase I will develop the air vehicle; JMR Phase II will develop mission systems. The Army plans to acquire as many as 4,000 aircraft from the FVL program. The Army started an FVL engine program in 2016. Future Vertical Lift was established in 2009 as an initiative, not yet a solution, by the Secretary of Defense to focus all DoD vertical lift capabilities and technology development, as well as retaining long-term engineering capabilities. In October 2011,
8640-462: The aircraft hovers overhead. Air assault is a military strategy that relies heavily on the use of transport helicopters. An air assault involves a customized assault force that is assembled on the pick-up zone and staged for sequential transport to a landing zone (LZ). The idea is to use the helicopters to transport and land a large number of troops and equipment in a relatively short amount of time, in order to assault and overwhelm an objective near
8760-456: The assault role in actual combat situations. The intention of China appears to be to retrofit these helicopters with locally produced electronics and armour when possible, freeing available funds to allow rapid creation of enough regiments to equip each of its Group Armies , allowing a widespread buildup of experience in helicopter operations. Attack helicopters are helicopters used in the anti-tank and close air support roles. The first of
8880-427: The attack helicopters. Late-model scout helicopters include laser designators to guide missiles fired from the attack helicopters. After finding a target, the scout helicopter can locate it and then direct the attack helicopter's missile where to fire. The attack helicopters have only to rise from cover briefly to fire their missiles before returning to a concealed location. Late-development of attack helicopters, such as
9000-546: The basic airframes can be stretched and shortened, be updated with new engines and electronics and have the entire mechanical and flight systems mated to new fuselages to create new aircraft. For example, the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (known as the "Huey") has given rise to a number of derivatives through stretching and re-engining, including the Bell AH-1 . Modern helicopters have introduced modular systems which allow
9120-589: The blade cuffs and the mast between the hubs. The medium-sized version is proposed to weigh 27,000 lb (12,000 kg), carry four crew and 12 troops, and have a 13,000-pound (5,900 kg) external lifting capacity. It has a six-by-six-foot (1.8 m × 1.8 m) cabin, which is twice the interior size of the UH-60 Black Hawk, and has an 8,000-pound (3,600 kg) internal lifting capacity. The aircraft can carry 12 NATO litters, have an auxiliary fuel system for self-deployment over distances, and
9240-477: The capability of the early helicopters was as plane guard - tasked with the recovery of pilots who had ditched near an aircraft carrier . As helicopter technology matured with increased payload and endurance , anti-submarine warfare (ASW) was added to the helicopter's repertoire. Initially, helicopters operated as weapons delivery systems, attacking with air-launched torpedoes and depth charges based on information provided by its parent and other warships. In
9360-470: The compartment for the most part unarmoured. Survivability is enhanced by redundancy and the placement of components to protect each other. For example, the Blackhawk family of helicopters uses two engines and can continue to fly on only one (under certain conditions), the engines are separated by the transmission and placed so that if attacked from any one flank, the engine on that flank acts to protect
9480-459: The cost of developing a high-speed rotorcraft was far greater than the $ 75 million funding that would have been awarded. The EADS proposal was not totally based on the X3 design, but did leverage aspects of its technology. EADS may re-submit its proposal for FVL when the Army creates specific requirements. Piasecki Aircraft was bidding its PA61-4 Advanced Winged Compound (AWC). The full-compound version
9600-514: The counter-reconnaissance fight—to eliminate an enemy's reconnaissance assets—but they can also be used to provide limited direct fire support or close air support. Among the first practical uses of helicopters when the Sikorsky R-4 and R-5 became available to British and American forces was deployment from navy cruisers and battleships, at first supplementing and later replacing catapult-launched observation aircraft . Another niche within
9720-723: The current rotorcraft fleet. In January 2015, the Army confirmed that the FVL-medium category would be split into two different versions, one for attack/reconnaissance and one for utility and troop carrying. Though the program seeks component commonality across the fleet, service leaders identified that different sized aircraft are needed for attack and troop-carrying, so the same airframe may not be used for both missions; other services may also tailor their own FVL-medium variants for specific needs. The versions may even use different forms of propulsion (one tiltrotor and one pusher propeller with coaxial blades), but nothing would be certain until
9840-399: The different configurations of the airframe, power outputs from 40 shp (30 kW) to 10,000 shp (7,500 kW) are being studied. One to four companies can be awarded a contract with work completed in 18 months. Lockheed Martin is developing a single "common missions system" that could be integrated into FVL light, medium, heavy, and ultra-heavy aircraft. The system could save
9960-666: The early days of steam use, the boiler horsepower was roughly comparable to the horsepower of engines fed by the boiler. The term "boiler horsepower" was originally developed at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876, where the best steam engines of that period were tested. The average steam consumption of those engines (per output horsepower) was determined to be the evaporation of 30 pounds (14 kg) of water per hour, based on feed water at 100 °F (38 °C), and saturated steam generated at 70 psi (480 kPa). This original definition
10080-530: The engine's bore size, number of cylinders, and a (now archaic) presumption of engine efficiency. As new engines were designed with ever-increasing efficiency, it was no longer a useful measure, but was kept in use by UK regulations, which used the rating for tax purposes . The United Kingdom was not the only country that used the RAC rating; many states in Australia used RAC hp to determine taxation. The RAC formula
10200-499: The engine. The situation persisted for several generations of four- and six-cylinder British engines: For example, Jaguar's 3.4-litre XK engine of the 1950s had six cylinders with a bore of 83 mm (3.27 in) and a stroke of 106 mm (4.17 in), where most American automakers had long since moved to oversquare (large bore, short stroke) V8 engines . See, for example, the early Chrysler Hemi engine . The power of an engine may be measured or estimated at several points in
10320-504: The first military helicopters became available, their ability to both maneuver and to remain in one location made them ideal for reconnaissance. Initially observation helicopters were limited to visual observation by the aircrew, and most helicopters featured rounded, well-glazed cockpits for maximum visibility. Over time, the human eye became supplemented by optical sensor systems. Today, these include low light level television and forward looking infrared cameras. Often, these are mounted in
10440-412: The four teams nine months to complete preliminary design of their rotorcraft, which the Army will then review and authorize the construction of two competing demonstrators to fly in 2017. While there was a potential for an early downselect, the four teams are focused on the 2017 flight demonstrations. Emerging results from JMR TD Phase 1 will be used to inform the FVL effort regarding vehicle configurations,
10560-679: The fuselage with a large rear ramp for easy cargo handling. Both versions have retractable landing gear, and the attack variant carries all armaments stored inside until needed to provide a clean aerodynamic design. The company refers to the unnamed concept as an "innovative compound coaxial helicopter" capable of achieving 80 percent of the speed of the V-22 Osprey at half the cost. It will be able to hover at 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in temperatures of 95 °F (35 °C) and fly unrefueled from Travis Air Force Base in California to Hawaii,
10680-514: The helicopter industry in Russia created Russian Helicopters , a holding company to bring together Mil, Kamov, and other helicopter manufacturing and maintenance plants. Horsepower#Shaft horsepower Horsepower ( hp ) is a unit of measurement of power , or the rate at which work is done, usually in reference to the output of engines or motors. There are many different standards and types of horsepower. Two common definitions used today are
10800-657: The high-speed compound helicopter design based on the X2 prototype, also reported they were invited to negotiate a technology investment agreement for the JMR-TD Phase I program. JMR-TD contracts were expected to be awarded in September 2013, with flights scheduled for 2017. AVX Aircraft also confirmed that it had been selected for the JMR Phase I as a Category I participant. Their entry is a coaxial-rotor compound helicopter with ducted fans for propulsion and small wings to offload
10920-450: The interim, the Army is evaluating the Spike 18–mile range non-line of sight missile on its Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. On 5 December 2022, the Army announced that the V-280 Valor was selected by the program. The Sikorsky-Boeing team formally disputed the contract award later that month. On 6 April 2023, Government Accountability Office denied the protest. In February 2024
11040-512: The life, retire, or replace with a new solution occurring in the next eight to ten years. Implementation of the FVL Strategic Plan will impact vertical lift aviation operations for the next 50+ years. The United States Navy is a partner to the Army on the effort, so a derivative of FVL may be used in the Navy's MH-XX program to replace the service's MH-60S/R helicopters . Three sizes were planned in 2009, then four and five (which may or may not be of
11160-454: The limit. In that legend, Watt accepted the challenge and built a machine that was actually even stronger than the figure achieved by the brewer, and the output of that machine became the horsepower. In 1993, R. D. Stevenson and R. J. Wassersug published correspondence in Nature summarizing measurements and calculations of peak and sustained work rates of a horse. Citing measurements made at
11280-463: The maturity of enabling technologies, attainable performance and capabilities, and will highlight affordable technical solutions required to achieve those capabilities. Each of the four teams received $ 6.5 million from the Army for this phase of the program. On 21 October 2013, defense executives bidding for the program stated that the Army plans to downselect to two companies in 2014, who will then develop prototypes for flight tests in 2017. JMR-TD phase I
11400-451: The maximum size of the helicopters and the minimum size of the ships. Increasing miniaturisation of electronics, better engines and modern weapons now allow even the modern, destroyer-based, multi-role helicopter to operate nearly autonomously in the ASW, anti-shipping, transport, SAR and reconnaissance roles. Medium- and large-sized helicopters are operated from carriers and land bases. In
11520-775: The modern attack helicopters was the Vietnam era Bell AH-1 Cobra , which pioneered the now classic format of pilot and weapons officer seated in tandem in a narrow fuselage, chin mounted guns, and rockets and missiles mounted on stub wings. To enable them to find and identify their targets, some modern attack helicopters are equipped with very capable sensors such as a millimeter wave radar system. Transport helicopters are used for transporting personnel (troops) and cargo in support of military operations. In larger militaries, these helicopters are often purpose-built for military operations, but commercially available aircraft are also used. The benefit of using helicopters for these operations
11640-512: The origin of the engine in question. DIN 66036 defines one metric horsepower as the power to raise a mass of 75 kilograms against the Earth's gravitational force over a distance of one metre in one second: 75 kg × 9.80665 m/s × 1 m / 1 s = 75 kgf ⋅m/s = 1 PS. This is equivalent to 735.49875 W, or 98.6% of an imperial horsepower. In 1972, the PS was replaced by
11760-670: The power generated can be calculated. To determine the maximum power available, a controllable load is required; it is normally a second locomotive with its brakes applied, in addition to a static load. If the drawbar force ( F ) is measured in pounds-force (lbf) and speed ( v ) is measured in miles per hour (mph), then the drawbar power ( P ) in horsepower (hp) is { P } h p = { F } l b f { v } m p h 375 . {\displaystyle \{P\}_{\mathrm {hp} }={\frac {\{F\}_{\mathrm {lbf} }\{v\}_{\mathrm {mph} }}{375}}.} Example: How much power
11880-590: The program includes medium lift aircraft for the Navy and U.S. Marine Corps , so the sheer diversity of requirements casts doubt that a single program can successfully produce different versions of a given design. One main problem the F-35 program encountered was having a single program to try to meet different needs with variants of one design. It is possible for FVL to avoid this and still meet it primary goals of using common drive trains, engines, and communications across different helicopters in different services; although
12000-449: The program officially starts, and pre-acquisition industry-to-industry cooperation was advised before government-to-government agreements occur. Congressional support was also advised to be secured early on, as keeping lawmakers in the dark caused lack of trust and imposition of reporting requirements for funding with the F-35. As Army Aviation purchase budgets has decreased 40% in 3 years, FVL funding could be conflicting with modernization of
12120-400: The projected $ 100 billion FVL effort. Demonstrators developed under JMR will be " X-planes " to demonstrate some key technologies, but they won't have production-representative engines or real mission systems architecture; JMR will show off technologies to enable Army rotary-wing aviation to make the next leap in speed, lift, protection, and interoperability under FVL for the 2030s. The program
12240-639: The results of the 2018 TD test flights. Future Vertical Lift had planned to use the DoD modular open systems approach (MOSA), an integrated business and technical strategy in FARA, and in FLRAA FLRAA is anticipated to enter service by Fiscal Year 2030. By abstracting its requirements, the Army was able to request prototypes which used new technologies. Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) prototypes are to be built by two teams to replace Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawks with Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). The tilt-rotor FLRAA demonstrator by Bell
12360-433: The rotors at high speed. The company plans to build a 70% scale demonstrator using existing General Electric T700 engines. EADS withdrew from the program before designs had been selected, and Piasecki Aircraft was not chosen to continue in the effort. On 31 July 2013, Boeing and Sikorsky pledged they will invest more than double the amount money the government is spending on JMR if the team is chosen to build and demonstrate
12480-431: The rotors still turning, and to quickly return to the front lines. In counter-insurgency (COIN) warfare, the government force establishes its presence in permanent or temporary military bases from which to mount patrols and convoys. The government forces seek to deter the insurgent forces from operating, and to capture or kill those that do. The operation of forces from fixed bases linked by a fixed network of roads becomes
12600-596: The same airframe to be configured for different roles, for example the Augusta Westland AW101 "Merlin" in Royal Navy service can be rapidly configured for ASW or transport missions in hours. To at the same time retain flexibility and limit costs, it is possible to fit an airframe for but not with a system, for example in the US Army's Boeing AH-64D Apache variants are all fitted to be able to take
12720-627: The same design) are envisioned to replace 25 current rotorcraft types: According to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee , three different configurations of JMR aircraft – a conventional helicopter, a large-wing slowed rotor compound helicopter, and a tiltrotor – were being studied as of April 2013. Although requirements are still being refined, the notional concept for a new aircraft must reach speeds of 230 kn (260 mph; 430 km/h), carry up to 12 troops, operate in "high-hot" conditions at altitudes of 6,000 ft (1,800 m) and temperatures of 95 °F (35 °C), and have
12840-423: The size of the engine; but as of 2000, many countries changed over to systems based on CO 2 emissions, so are not directly comparable to older ratings. The Citroën 2CV is named for its French fiscal horsepower rating, "deux chevaux" (2CV). Nameplates on electrical motors show their power output, not the power input (the power delivered at the shaft, not the power consumed to drive the motor). This power output
12960-491: The three primary manufacturers are Boeing ( Boeing Vertol and McDonnell Douglas ), Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky Aircraft . In Japan, the three main manufacturers of helicopters are the aviation arms of the Japanese conglomerates Mitsubishi , Kawasaki and Fuji Heavy Industries . These companies initially followed a business model based on forming strategic partnerships with foreign, usually American, companies with
13080-808: The transmission and the engine on the other side from damage. Aviation electronics, or avionics , such as communication radios and navigation aids are common on most military helicopters. Specialized avionics, such as electronic countermeasures and identification friend or foe systems, are military specific systems that can also be installed on military helicopters. Other payload or mission systems are installed either permanently or temporarily, based on specific mission requirements; optical and IR cameras for scout helicopters, dunking sonar and search radar for anti-submarine helicopters, extra radio transceivers and computers for helicopters used as airborne command posts . Armour, fire suppression, dynamic and electronics systems enhancements are invisible to casual inspection; as
13200-502: The transmission of the power from its generation to its application. A number of names are used for the power developed at various stages in this process, but none is a clear indicator of either the measurement system or definition used. In general: All the above assumes that no power inflation factors have been applied to any of the readings. Engine designers use expressions other than horsepower to denote objective targets or performance, such as brake mean effective pressure (BMEP). This
13320-685: The unit varied among geographical regions. Most countries now use the SI unit watt for measurement of power. With the implementation of the EU Directive 80/181/EEC on 1 January 2010, the use of horsepower in the EU is permitted only as a supplementary unit. The development of the steam engine provided a reason to compare the output of horses with that of the engines that could replace them. In 1702, Thomas Savery wrote in The Miner's Friend : The idea
13440-456: The weapon system. The Army wants flight testing of FLRAA prototypes beginning in 2025, with fielding to the first units in 2030. The Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) was to be smaller than FLRAA. The Army's requests for proposals (RFPs) for FARA were due in December 2018; A long range precision munition for the Army's aircraft will begin its program of design and development. In
13560-609: Was 12 feet (3.7 m) in radius; therefore, the horse travelled 2.4 × 2π × 12 feet in one minute. Watt judged that the horse could pull with a force of 180 pounds-force (800 N). So: Engineering in History recounts that John Smeaton initially estimated that a horse could produce 22,916 foot-pounds (31,070 J) per minute. John Desaguliers had previously suggested 44,000 foot-pounds (59,656 J) per minute, and Thomas Tredgold suggested 27,500 foot-pounds (37,285 J) per minute. "Watt found by experiment in 1782 that
13680-474: Was a factor in the decision. An unmanned UH-60 Black Hawk flew pilotless in July 2022. An FVL FLRAA (JMR-TD) flew unmanned in 2019. Military helicopter Military helicopters play an integral part in the sea, land and air operations of modern militaries. Generally manufacturers will develop airframes in different weight/size classes which can be adapted to different roles through the installation of mission specific equipment. To minimise development costs
13800-543: Was an aircraft able to more quickly respond to submarine threats to the fleet without waiting for directions from fleet vessels. Today, maritime helicopters such as the Sikorksy SH-60 Seahawk and the Westland Lynx are designed to be operated from frigates , destroyers and similar size vessels. The desire to carry and operate two helicopters from frigate- and destroyer-sized vessels has affected
13920-546: Was instituted by the Royal Automobile Club and was used to denote the power of early 20th-century British cars. Many cars took their names from this figure (hence the Austin Seven and Riley Nine), while others had names such as "40/50 hp", which indicated the RAC figure followed by the true measured power. Taxable horsepower does not reflect developed horsepower; rather, it is a calculated figure based on
14040-420: Was later used by James Watt to help market his improved steam engine. He had previously agreed to take royalties of one-third of the savings in coal from the older Newcomen steam engines . This royalty scheme did not work with customers who did not have existing steam engines but used horses instead. Watt determined that a horse could turn a mill wheel 144 times in an hour (or 2.4 times a minute). The wheel
14160-624: Was planned to fly at 233 kn (268 mph; 432 km/h) and used their vectored-thrust ducted propeller (VTDP), flown previously on the Piasecki X-49 . It propelled the aircraft and had a long-span wing for lift and anti-torque. The wing pivoted in pitch for addition flight control and to reduce rotor download in the hover. Removing the wing but retaining the VTDP produced the 180 kn (210 mph; 330 km/h) thrust compound version, which could be used for shipboard operations. Replacing
14280-420: Was sometimes applied in British colonies as well, such as Kenya (British East Africa) . where Since taxable horsepower was computed based on bore and number of cylinders, not based on actual displacement, it gave rise to engines with "undersquare" dimensions (bore smaller than stroke), which tended to impose an artificially low limit on rotational speed , hampering the potential power output and efficiency of
14400-493: Was to be announced in late August once negotiations had been finalized. The Army formally announced the selection of the Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 and Bell-Lockheed V-280 on 3 October 2014. Both teams will now build technology demonstration aircraft with flight tests starting in 2017. Though AVX and Karem Aircraft were not selected, the Army is still interested in technologies they have offered. In early September 2014,
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