Future High Speed Helicopter and next generation rotorcraft

taxiya

Brigadier
Registered Member
Is this the relevant announcement?

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
为打破传统常规构型限制,提升直升机性能和战斗力,推进直升机产品技术创新,优化直升机产业发展模式。自2019年3月起,景德镇厂所按照自筹经费、共同投入,利益共享、风险共担的方式,正式启动某新平台直升机研制项目,目前该型机已成功完成首飞,正在开展性能试飞,为后续我军新一代高性能直升机研制奠定坚实基础。

Break away from the conventional layout, improve performance and combat capability. Since Mars 2019, Jingdezhen factory and institute have jointly invested (without state investment) in a program of a new type of rotor-craft. Now it has conducted maiden flight, now it is conducting performance test flights, it will make a solid foundation for our military's future high performance rotorcraft.


A non-conventional helicopter or rotor craft has made maiden flight. It is not funded directly by PLA. Similar to FC-31 program.
 

Blitzo

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Is this "blended wing body multi-rotor VTOL aircraft" referring to the Blue Whale?

If so, it will definitely mark another wide step forward for China's technological advancement and achievements!

It's doubtful that it is a full sized aircraft as big as that.

By the description, it sounds more like a technology demonstrator, and I would bet it is probably slightly subscale in size and not a representative prototype (like XV-15 or X-2)


In terms of configuration, I'm unsure if they are describing something with tilt rotors (like V-22 or V-280), or something with a main rotor and push props (like Sikorsky X-2 or Raider or SB-1 Defiant), or a multi rotor system with two fixed main rotors and each with a push props like this:

ZXZLRDLSKQJEY3LGCATX7QHJJU-1024x683.jpg
 
Last edited:

Strangelove

Colonel
Registered Member
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

High speeds and artificial intelligence (AI) are among the trends in the development of future helicopters, a top Chinese military helicopter designer said during a recent public lecture, giving a glimpse into the possibilities of the country's next-generation choppers, which could feature completely new designs and configurations.

The world has made concrete steps in the development and application of high-speed rotorcraft, with the US commissioning the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft and conducting test flights for the S-97 Raider and SB-1 Defiant helicopters. Within 10 years, it will be the norm for helicopters, or rotorcraft in general, to feature high speeds, Wu Ximing, deputy head of the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment, said during the lecture organized by the China Science and Technology Museum on Sunday.

Unlike the traditional configuration of previous helicopters, the new ones will have very different designs, including those that were made to break the physical speed limit of about 300 kilometers an hour restricted by the traditional design, said Wu, who is also the chief designer of the Z-10, the main battle attack helicopter used by the Chinese military.

It will require exploration and innovation by helicopter designers to achieve high speeds while maintaining the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, Wu said.

Since Wu gave a general time frame of 10 years for most helicopters to achieve high speed, it can be expected that China could also reveal its high-speed helicopters within 10 years, a Chinese military expert told the Global Times on Monday, requesting anonymity.

China's helicopter makers have reportedly conducted test flights for at least two types of helicopters with innovative designs: one is a blended-wing body
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the other is a helicopter with a completely different,
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
.

Helicopters will also be empowered by AI, and this means that a digital helmet or screen could replace the control levers on a helicopter, as AI could understand voice commands from the pilot, give suggestions on flight routes, or even make independent decisions under harsh environments or in complex missions, Wu said. "Intelligent technologies will greatly reduce the workload of the pilot in flying the chopper."

AI will enable the intelligent flight of a single helicopter, the coordinated flight of multiple helicopters, and the autonomous carrying out of missions, according to Wu's presentation.

With the rapid development of information technologies like 5G and 6G, it is possible that the helicopter could get larger computing capacity from ground-based systems through a network, and this could optimize the helicopter's capabilities and enhance its efficiency, Wu said.

The use of AI will apply not only to helicopters, but also to aircraft in general, including fighter jets, the anonymous expert said.

The development of drones is another future trend for helicopters, as drones do not lead to casualties. They are not restricted by a human pilot's physical limits and can be used in harsh environments, Wu pointed out, while they cost less and offer higher survivability.

Miniature drone helicopters are also a viable option in missions like tactical reconnaissance, as they are easy to carry and can penetrate hostile defenses stealthily, Wu said.

China has developed a type of portable reconnaissance drone helicopter dubbed the Hummingbird, which is only 15 centimeters long and weighs only 35 grams, China Central Television reported in February.
 

GTI

Junior Member
Registered Member
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

High speeds and artificial intelligence (AI) are among the trends in the development of future helicopters, a top Chinese military helicopter designer said during a recent public lecture, giving a glimpse into the possibilities of the country's next-generation choppers, which could feature completely new designs and configurations.

The world has made concrete steps in the development and application of high-speed rotorcraft, with the US commissioning the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft and conducting test flights for the S-97 Raider and SB-1 Defiant helicopters. Within 10 years, it will be the norm for helicopters, or rotorcraft in general, to feature high speeds, Wu Ximing, deputy head of the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment, said during the lecture organized by the China Science and Technology Museum on Sunday.

Unlike the traditional configuration of previous helicopters, the new ones will have very different designs, including those that were made to break the physical speed limit of about 300 kilometers an hour restricted by the traditional design, said Wu, who is also the chief designer of the Z-10, the main battle attack helicopter used by the Chinese military.

It will require exploration and innovation by helicopter designers to achieve high speeds while maintaining the vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, Wu said.

Since Wu gave a general time frame of 10 years for most helicopters to achieve high speed, it can be expected that China could also reveal its high-speed helicopters within 10 years, a Chinese military expert told the Global Times on Monday, requesting anonymity.

China's helicopter makers have reportedly conducted test flights for at least two types of helicopters with innovative designs: one is a blended-wing body
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the other is a helicopter with a completely different,
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
.

Helicopters will also be empowered by AI, and this means that a digital helmet or screen could replace the control levers on a helicopter, as AI could understand voice commands from the pilot, give suggestions on flight routes, or even make independent decisions under harsh environments or in complex missions, Wu said. "Intelligent technologies will greatly reduce the workload of the pilot in flying the chopper."

AI will enable the intelligent flight of a single helicopter, the coordinated flight of multiple helicopters, and the autonomous carrying out of missions, according to Wu's presentation.

With the rapid development of information technologies like 5G and 6G, it is possible that the helicopter could get larger computing capacity from ground-based systems through a network, and this could optimize the helicopter's capabilities and enhance its efficiency, Wu said.

The use of AI will apply not only to helicopters, but also to aircraft in general, including fighter jets, the anonymous expert said.

The development of drones is another future trend for helicopters, as drones do not lead to casualties. They are not restricted by a human pilot's physical limits and can be used in harsh environments, Wu pointed out, while they cost less and offer higher survivability.

Miniature drone helicopters are also a viable option in missions like tactical reconnaissance, as they are easy to carry and can penetrate hostile defenses stealthily, Wu said.

China has developed a type of portable reconnaissance drone helicopter dubbed the Hummingbird, which is only 15 centimeters long and weighs only 35 grams, China Central Television reported in February.
Are there any pictures (CGI) or models of what the 2 different designs might look like?

Honestly, getting me very excited!
 

broadsword

Brigadier
Probably like Sikorsky-Boeing's SB-1 Defiant.

I would be more excited if it is shaped like a fixed-wing fuselage, has wide-corded blades that sweep into wings, and is turbofan-powered for transonic speed.
 
Top