MILITARY ROTORCRAFT

AN ARMADA INTERNATIONAL COMPENDIUM SUPPLEMENT

2018
: THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY ANALYSIS
INNOVATION AND
LEADERSHIP IN
AEROSPACE

April 25–29, 2018

Berlin ExpoCenter Airport

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 interview
EUROPE

ARMADA INTERNATIONAL MILITARY

HELICOPTER INDUSTRY SURVEY
Andrew Drwiega

T
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
in 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

Boeing
also developing products using our Collier
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

Andrew Drwiega
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
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
Leonardo

agile aircraft, with limited firepower. For the aircraft.

multirole attack helicopter, which engages Bell continues to lead the vertical lift
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

Boeing
V-247 Vigilant unmanned tiltrotor system
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.

There 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 Lift (current platforms) and Phantom
Works (new development) organisations are more productive and cost effective 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
benefit you have to design a platform 19 passenger helicopter on the horizon yet that limit the capabilities of rotorcraft. If an
from the outset for unmanned operations. but we are working on using that autonomy aircraft 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 flexibility, but don’t give you the affordable to operate.
same combination of payload fraction and

Sikorsky
range that can be achieved with a dedicated Will manned attack helicopters still have
unmanned platform. a central role in deliberate attack in 2030
The amount of investment and work onwards? Does your company regard
we are doing on unmanned rotorcraft has UAVs as a threat to future business - or an
increased significantly 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 definitely sees UAVs as an
UK MoD, which is studying the role of a opportunity rather than a threat to its current
unmanned rotorcraft primarily for maritime helicopter business. Leonardo Helicopters is
missions. We are also continuing to develop investing in military unmanned rotorcraft
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 rotorcraft.
threat to future business - or an opportunity? We have the technology for the platform,
Are UAV rotorcraft scalable? the mission systems and the unmanned
John Schibler, Boeing Vertical Lift director of
CVB: Autonomy presents an important mission management. The technology that
Engineering
opportunity by enabling significant allows you to fly and operate a unmanned
advancement of helicopters. Sikorsky makes SM: At Bell we are focused on how to best rotorcraft is scalable, for example the
large helicopters such as the UH-60 Black serve the war fighter. The complexity of the technology behind the Hero and SW-4 Solo
Hawk, CH-53E/K, S-76 and S-92. These battlefield will always demand a mixture of unmanned air systems is almost identical and
aircraft move passengers and tons of material manned, optionally manned, and unmanned applicable to larger unmanned rotorcraft.
over large distances in difficult environments. aircraft. We at Bell Helicopter embrace
Small UAVs are not going to displace this vertical lift across all platforms manned and What is the long-term impact of
transportation capability, but I believe the unmanned. The multiple roles of vertical performance-based logistic contracts on
autonomy that enables UAVs will flow into lift platforms will create unique missions your company’s overall business? Does
all future helicopters to make them safer, sets where a small, short range aircraft will this shift the key OEM role from prime

06 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium

 INTERVIEW

manufacturer to sustainment provider? training service covering the first 15 years We believe that it will be important to retain
CVB: Sikorsky has thousands of aircraft of operation of a fleet of 16 AW101s. This the ability to have humans in the system. The
operating with customers around the world. contract guarantees aircraft availability rates role of humans will change from piloting the
The safe and cost effective operation of these at six SAR bases. These types of contract aircraft to coordinating increasingly complex
fleets 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 fulfilling the armed role
continue to invest to improve our capability. of their helicopter fleet. in 2030. However, certainly by then some
Our fleet management centre monitors battlefield commanders are likely to have
aircraft around the world with state of the art, Will manned attack helicopters still have unmanned armed rotorcraft available and,
customised analytics to reduce maintenance, a central role in deliberate attack in as is the case today, armed unmanned fixed
downtime and costs with the highest levels 2030 onwards or will their role be made wing aircraft. Looking beyond 2030 it is likely
of safety. These 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
aircraft production and fleet support. may be able to deliver kinetic weapons? ground stations or teamed with manned
CVB: Future attack and reconnaissance aircraft. However, we do not anticipate
RG: There is an increasing trend amongst helicopters will have the flexibility 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. They where a specific situational awareness is
of helicopter platforms and to contract for will interoperate with smaller UAVs and needed.
some form of performance-based logistics. fixed wing attack assets. Our S-97 Raider
Leonardo Helicopters has a lot of experience prototype which is aimed at Future Vertical NOTE: The following manufacturers were
of providing integrated operational support Lift 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 fleets. 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 aircraft while Industries; Hindustan Aeronautics; MD
aircraft availability based support service and leveraging off 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

I
n looking to get an insider’s view point

Andrew Drwiega
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
for many years, known to many simply as
‘Torgy’.
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 first flights
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 rotorcraft
improve survivability. The processes used by and market interest rotorcraft bring to development during your career?
manufacturers to improve quality and reduce increase their overall defense businesses. The development of the tiltrotor (specifically
or level out costs is also significant. More recently, the establishment of the V-22 Ospey and more recently the
Because of digitisation, rotorcraft 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. This is epitomised by
node. This has heightened the importance between production and support in the first flight of the V-22 in March 1989. This
of rotorcraft in the battlefield priority list as campaigns. This has changed traditional showed how difficult change can be within an
exemplified 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 rotorcraft officers up to build local partnership arrangements believe this would succeed in light of the
the chain of command exemplified by Air in order to succeed. Due to the cost of developmental difficulties that took place
Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, the first product development, defence will still early on. I think tiltrotor advocates have to
rotorcraft pilot to rise to the rank of Chief of lead new commercial developments. There be supremely confident going forward as
the Air Staff (July 2013-July 2016). would not be the Leonardo AW609 without follow-on military and commercial products,
The 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
affecting how rotorcraft are used and operated. is starting to fulfill the AW609s promise and programme design and modernisation of
From a business standpoint, the it will be a boon to the commercial market. heritage fleets beginning in the early 1980s
entrance of large corporations into the I also believe Airbus deserves significant and carrying on into the present day, to long-
rotorcraft 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. This has proven to be
rotorcraft-focused firms such as Vertol, being its X-6 series technology, which is a cost and operationally-effective approach
Sikorsky, Augusta and heritage Eurocopter part of a larger compound approach. to maintaining and modernising rotorcraft

10 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium

 interview

fleets. This has certainly brought affordability through-life-maintenance of a particular

Andrew Drwiega
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
confidently to be able to sell its products 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.

RUAS PROGRESS INCREASES

MARITIME RELEVANCE
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

T
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
However, 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, flew unmanned for the first
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

Schiebel
UAS, “small vessels can transport their own
organic air capability. Picket ships can extend
understanding further, small survey ships can
understand better and coastguards can find
and help more effectively.”
UMS Skeldar’s contribution to this field
is the Vertical Take-Off 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-off
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. This is a cross-European formation of a deployable
UAS capability.
military research programme which will
employ ‘unmanned platforms of different
types (fixed wing, rotary wing, surface and 42 partners from 15 European countries. of maritime surveillance and interdiction
underwater) integrated with naval units’ These 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 fleets using unmanned aircraft,
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 The first 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. The
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. The 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

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RUSA

US Navy
MQ-8C: Two MQ-8C Fire
Scout helicopters sit in the
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.

16 2018 Military Rotorcraft Compendium

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RUSA

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’ flight 16,000ft (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 first flight has achieved first flight at Amarillo, Texas. It has been
générale de l’armement) awarded a technology MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS will be fitted 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
around 30,000lb (13,600kg). © Bell
Airbus Helicopters consortium. The objective Scanned Array (AESA) radar together
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.
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preparation of the SDAM (Navy Airborne resolution wide swath SAR mapping; small Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd.,
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Drone System), whose entry into service is radar cross section (RCS), low minimum
Editor: Andrew Drwiega
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new Intermediate-Size Frigates (FTIs)’ and moving target indication (MTI); and air-to- President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul
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Sea trials of a manned Cabri G2 have system that collates data from several different ■ GERMANY
already been conducted onbaord a French sensors to provide a unified 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 define USN battle group. E-Mail: sam@whitehillmedia.com
the VSR700’s flight envelope for shipborne According to Jack Thomas, director ■ TURKEY / EASTERN EUROPE / UK
Zena Coupé
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I BIGGER, BOLDER Aerospace Systems, the Fire Scout with Link 16 Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg
Tel: (46) 31 799 9028
The US Navy’s Northrop Grumman MQ-8C operating with a fleet of ships “is a key enabler E-Mail: emanuela.armada@gmail.com
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 modification to any of the other platforms.” Tel/Fax: (7 3832) 180 885, Mob: (7 960) 783 6653
VTOL rotorcraft as part of its concept for He continued: “We certainly see Fire Scout Email :alla@mediatransasia.com
■ USA (EAST/SOUTH EAST)/CANADA (EAST)
distributed maritime operations. The MQ-8C as the long-range, high-endurance sensor Margie Brown, Blessall Media, LLC.
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Email: margiespub@rcn.com
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extend the range of the ship’s own onboard In December 2017, Fire Scout programme Tel : (+1 858) 759 3557
Email: blackrockmediainc@icloud.com
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(ISR) capabilities. Systems Melissa Packwood stated that the Jakhongir Djalmetov
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