Rotor Performance of a UH-60 Rotor System in the NASA Ames 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel

Abstract

Abstract : A full-scale four-bladed UH-60 rotor system was tested in the NASA Ames 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel. A quality data set at low forward speed, 0 to 80 knots, has been obtained to support future rotor developments and analysis improvements. To evaluate the NASA Ames 80- by 120- Foot Wind Tunnel as a hover testing facility, rotor performance data were compared with predictions, UH-60 aircraft flight test data, and UH-60 model-scale data from other test facilities. Results indicate that valid hover data for this size rotor can be obtained from this facility at low to medium thrust conditions. Comparisons with flight test and model-scale data demonstrate the variability between existing data sets. Predictions show good agreement with full-scale data. To evaluate the analytical modeling in the 0 to 80 knot speed range, forward flight rotor performance data were acquired and compared with predictions. Comparisons were also made with existing model-scale and flight test data. Power calculations show fair to good agreement with full-scale wind tunnel data at advance ratios between 0.10 to 0.19 and poor agreement at advance ratios below 0.10. Comparisons with flight test and model-scale data show good agreement at all advance ratios tested. Propulsive force calculations show good correlation with full-scale wind tunnel data at advance ratios of 0.10 to 0.19.