Compound Helos

[Hunt3r]

Originally Posted by McLuv

Key words... Vector thrust.

As computing capabilities on a whole improves, the ability to get different vector thrust in any form is increased. I mean, the swept back wing design wasn't possible until recently due to the inability to properly take off and land without modern computing, AFAIK.

While the chance to "upgrade" all these helicopters to this type of flight design may prove to be largely cost ineffective, I'm sure future aircraft design will be including more and more vector thrusting in different applications, rather than having all your power pointed in a static direction.

Well anyhow, as it is, the production Speedhawk should be able to hold an extra 500 pounds over the UH-60, but weigh about an extra ton.

[SkaterCrush]

Originally Posted by [R-DEV]Rhino

I think its an interesting design, but can't really see it catching on.

I can see the advantages of being able to get to the fight or w/e quicker with this system, but I believe the next step past our conventional choppers in the future will be really a cross between helicopters and VTOL jets merged into one, where you get the insane speeds that jet engines can produce with also the additional element of vertical flight. Of course this may also never catch on due to huge fuel conception to do the hover for jets but we will have to see where the future takes us

Like this?

http://crysishq.multiplayernetwork.n...es/US_VTOL.jpg

[Hunt3r]

Originally Posted by SkaterCrush

Like this?

http://crysishq.multiplayernetwork.n...es/US_VTOL.jpg

Wouldn't this be hugely inefficient because of the little lift generated compared to having the turbine spin a prop instead?

Unless it's a turbofan with a huge bypass ratio, in which case it would probably be very high drag in higher speeds.

[SkaterCrush]

Originally Posted by Hunt3r

Wouldn't this be hugely inefficient because of the little lift generated compared to having the turbine spin a prop instead?

Unless it's a turbofan with a huge bypass ratio, in which case it would probably be very high drag in higher speeds.

Who cares about efficiency when you look AWESOME

[Hunt3r]

Originally Posted by SkaterCrush

Who cares about efficiency when you look AWESOME

Awesome looking, yes, being able to loiter the combat zone for more then 30 minutes, no.

[Expendable Grunt]

I say we just switch to death gliders.



M.

[[R-DEV]DankE_SPB]

Originally Posted by McLuv

As computing capabilities on a whole improves, the ability to get different vector thrust in any form is increased. I mean, the swept back wing design wasn't possible until recently due to the inability to properly take off and land without modern computing, AFAIK.

problem with swept wing were fuselage and wing deformations, only modern composites can withstand them for long time(at least thats what i read about creation of S-37(Su-47)
at the same time nearly all modern planes are unstable(this help to achieve higher flight characteristics like agility etc.) and require computer assistance to control

Originally Posted by Hunt3r

Also, the gain of retrofitting it to a helo, and modifying the design to be more streamlined will be well worth it. You would go from a cruise speed of 120 knots to 220 knots. A gain of 120 mph is quite large. And once you're in the combat zone and the speed isn't required, you still are a normal helo, capable of doing all the same things with similar capability.

yea, its better to be health and wealth, but sometimes you have to choose, even though speed gain will be good in some situations, it wont change things drastically and will cost a lot

[thebeanie]

Hmmm i dont like it.. its fugly :/

[SkaterCrush]

Originally Posted by Expendable Grunt

I say we just switch to death gliders.



M.

Tie Fighter>all

[Tirak]

Originally Posted by DankE_SPB

problem with swept wing were fuselage and wing deformations, only modern composites can withstand them for long time(at least thats what i read about creation of S-37(Su-47)
at the same time nearly all modern planes are unstable(this help to achieve higher flight characteristics like agility etc.) and require computer assistance to control

yea, its better to be health and wealth, but sometimes you have to choose, even though speed gain will be good in some situations, it wont change things drastically and will cost a lot

Okay, some things. For the swept wing, I really hope you guys are just talking about forward sweep. We've had swept back wings on aircraft since the end of WWII and let's not forget America's first jet fighter which had swept wings.



Another thing, modern fighter aircraft are designed with stability in mind. When you let go of the controls they are designed to go into level flight. THE EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE is the F16 which was deliberately designed with negative stability to increase agility. Now this practice is used by the US military, if other military forces do it differently then so be it.