English

DTIC ADA306235: Expendable Main Rotor Blade Study. Phase 1.

The report presents results of a design study of expendable main rotor blades for the UH-1H helicopter. The objective of the study was to design blades which could eventually be thrown away after extensive damage rather than be sent back to depot for major overhaul. Unit cost, field repairability, resistance to corrosion and erosion, fatigue strength, and damage tolerance were factors considered for maximum cost effectiveness or lowest life-cycle cost. The study was limited to the UH-1 blade, which requires a structural skin for edgewise rigidity. For an articulated rotor blade, some of the conclusions regarding skin construction and material could be different. The study included development of reliability, maintainability, and cost- effectiveness models. In addition, the United Aircraft Normal Modes Computer Program was modified to include two-bladed teetering rotor dynamics. The cost model was based upon the present LJH-lH aircraft to provide life-cycle cost comparisons with the new blades designed in this study. More than fifteen blade designs were generated. They included aluminum, steel, and composite blade designs. The study covered two time frames: 1972 and 1980. The result

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