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Leonardo Next-Generation Civil Tiltrotor

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Leonardo Next-Generation Civil Tiltrotor, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 202514 sources
Leonardo S.p.A.
Company typeAerospace firm
IndustryAerospace
Founded1948
Headquarters
Rome
,
Italy
ProductsAircraft, including the Leonardo Next-Generation Civil Tiltrotor (NextGenCTR or NGCTR)


Template:Infobox aircraft

The Leonardo Next-Generation Civil Tiltrotor (abbreviated as NextGenCTR or NGCTR) is a tiltrotor aircraft prototype created and engineered by the Italian aerospace firm Leonardo S.p.A. Initial investigations into a tiltrotor twice the size of the AgustaWestland AW609 commenced in 2000. Since 2014, its advancement has been funded under the European Union's Clean Sky program, specifically Clean Sky 2. By May 2021, production had started on key components. The inaugural flight was rescheduled to 2024 by 2023, having originally been planned for 2020.

This pressurized aircraft is designed with a maximum takeoff weight of 11 t (11 long tons; 12 short tons) and is intended to accommodate between 19 and 22 passengers. It aims to achieve speeds up to 330 kn (610 km/h; 380 mph) and operate across a range of approximately 500 nmi (930 km; 580 mi). One of the initial goals was to reduce operating costs compared to traditional rotorcraft. The design features engines fixed in place while the proprotors rotate independently, driven through a split gearbox system.

Development

In 1998, the European helicopter producer AgustaWestland joined forces with American aerospace company Bell Textron (Bell Helicopters) to develop a commercial tiltrotor derived from the earlier Bell XV-15 experimental platform.[1] This collaboration resulted in the AgustaWestland AW609, recognized as the first tiltrotor designed for civilian use.[2][3] In 2000, AgustaWestland initiated feasibility studies for the Next-Generation Civil Tiltrotor (NGCTR), which would be double the size of the AW609.[4]

In August 2014, the European Union launched its CleanSky 2 initiative aimed at funding aerospace technology research.[5] AgustaWestland secured $328 million from this program to support NGCTR’s detailed design phase, with approximately 60% of these funds allocated to project partners,[4] alongside contributions towards the development of the Airbus RACER compound helicopter.[6] By October 2014, a target date for the first flight was set for 2020.[4] Research efforts included innovative proprotor configurations, wing shape optimization, engine layout improvements, streamlined manufacturing processes, and environmental impact reduction strategies.[4]

By 2017, anticipated first flight timelines shifted to 2023.[7] In September that year, a consortium led by the Italian Aerospace Research Centre was chosen to design and manufacture NGCTR’s wing.[6] Leonardo finalized structural requirements through a preliminary design review released on November 26, 2018, followed by a critical design review planned for 2019 and wing prototype assembly slated for 2020.[6]

The preliminary design review phase began in December 2018 with completion expected by early 2019; however, the critical design review was postponed to 2020 with prototype construction planned between 2021 and 2022.[8]

At the start of 2019, Leonardo selected the General Electric CT7 turboshaft engines to power the NGCTR demonstrator.[9] The wing underwent additional wind tunnel testing during early 2021.[10]

By May of that year, Leonardo and its collaborators had commenced manufacturing key demonstrator components in preparation for final assembly.[11] Certification standards are required to meet both EASA CS-25 regulations applicable to large airplanes and EASA CS-29 rules governing large rotorcraft.[12] As of 2023, the maiden flight is anticipated in 2024.[13]

Design

The initial design concept, tailored for the deepwater drilling energy sector, envisioned a pressurized aircraft with an 11 t (24,000 lb) MTOW capable of accommodating 19 to 22 passengers. It was designed to achieve speeds up to 330 kn (610 km/h), cover a range of approximately 500 nmi (930 km), and operate at altitudes reaching a ceiling of 25,000 ft (7,600 m).[4] The initial objectives aimed to reduce direct operating expenses by 30% compared to traditional rotorcraft, while targeting a 50% decrease in recurring costs.[14] For the CleanSky 2 program's 2020 goals, the performance benchmarks relative to aircraft from 2000 included a 17% reduction in drag, noise levels lowered by 7% to 20%, and the ability to fly a 250 nmi (460 km) radius within 1 hour and 45 minutes, including hover time.[14] By 2021, AgustaWestland planned to match conventional helicopters in both manufacturing and operational costs.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

The aircraft’s wingspan measures 12 m (39 ft), constructed from epoxy carbon fiber, closely resembling that of the earlier AW609 tiltrotor. However, the wing chord is nearly doubled to about 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in). Each wing incorporates two types of control surfaces: flaperons that provide lift and maneuverability, and an additional surface that lowers during vertical take offs,[6] reducing the wing area exposed to propeller airflow.[12] Despite its compact size, the wing features a composite-built, highly integratedTemplate:Ambiguous wingbox, enabling large movable surfaces that span over half the wing chord.[12]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Unlike previous tiltrotors where engines tilt with the proprotors, the NGCTR design keeps engines fixed while allowing movement of both proprotors and wingtips, optimizing aerodynamic efficiency.[12] Power from the engines reaches the rotating proprotor assemblies via a split gearbox system.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name[4] Each rotor blade is made from composite materials and incorporates an embedded heating element for effective ice protection.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Specifications (NGCTR)

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See also

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References

  1. ↑ Maisel, Martin D.; Giulianetti, Demo J.; Dugan, Daniel C. (2000). The History of the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft (PDF). Monographs in Aerospace History No. 17. NASA. ISBN 0-16-050276-4. NASA SP-2000-4517.
  2. ↑ Frawley, Gerard (2003). The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003–2004. Aerospace Publications. p. 48. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
  3. ↑ "HELI-EXPO: Bell rules out future conventional military helicopter developments". Flightglobal. 29 February 2016.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AIN5oct2014
  5. ↑ Dubois, Thierry (3 August 2014). "European Commission, Industry Launch Clean Sky 2". AIN Online.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Flight21nov2018
  7. ↑ Osborne, Tony (3 March 2017). "Leonardo's Next-Gen Tiltrotor Targeting 2023 First Flight". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  8. ↑ Osborne, Tony (22 February 2019). "Leonardo On Target for Tiltrotor Tech Demonstrator Flight". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  9. ↑ Perry, Dominic (8 February 2019). "Leonardo picks GE CT7 engines for next-gen tiltrotor". Flight Global.
  10. ↑ Perry, Dominic (5 February 2021). "New windtunnel tests begin for next-generation civil tiltrotor project". Flight Global.
  11. ↑ "Final Assembly Beckons For Leonardo Tiltrotor Tech Demonstrator". Aviationweek. 28 May 2021.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named wingdesign 2021
  13. ↑ Dominic Perry (7 March 2023). "Twin tiltrotor milestones to slip into 2024, says Leonardo Helicopters". Flightglobal.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CleanSky16Sep2014

External links

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