X-49A
![](x_planes/X-49.jpg) Specifications Company-
Sikorsky; Piasecki Type- Ducted-fan
helicopter.
Goals- Demonstrate
Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) for rotocraft.
Primary Testing Facility
Research- Unknown Dimensions- N/A Max Speed- N/A Range-
N/A Service Ceiling- N/A Power Plant-
Two General Electric T700-GE-401C engines Thrust- N/A Weights-
N/A Payload- N/A Flights- N/A Number of Prototypes Built-
2 (2 X-43A) Project Tenure- 2000-???? Project Status-
Ongoing Information
The X-49A is an experimental helicopter currently
under development. It is the subject of a $US 26.1-million U.S.
Navy-sponsored project that consists of a Sikorsky YSH-60F helicopter
modified by Piasecki as a testbed to test the "Vectored Thrust Ducted
Propeller" (VTDP) system. One YSH-60F will be converted to test the
feasibility of VTDP under an advanced technology demonstration program.
The YSH-60F is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C engines.
The demonstration contract was awarded in October
2000 by the Naval Air Systems Command to Piasecki Aircraft. Piasecki
will install a lifting wing with flaperons and a vectored-thrust ducted
propeller (VTDP), or "ring tail," to a U.S. Navy Sikorsky YSH-60F.
The compound helicopter technology that will be
added to the YSH-60F was first demonstrated in trials of the Piasecki
16H-1 and 16H-1A in the early 1960's, when the helicopters were flown at
speeds up to 225 mph (360 km/h).
The X-49A YSH-60F flight demonstrator will be
updated with a lifting wing taken from an Aerostar FJ-100 business jet.
A ring tail will also be added and the helicopter drive train will be
modified to accommodate VTDP. Piasecki will conduct integrated tests of
the modified drive train at the Navy's helicopter transmission test
facility.
The cockpit controls will be modified with the
addition of a manual prop pitch override on the collective for the ring
tail. This will be the only visible change to the aircraft's existing
mechanical controls in the cockpit. The other controls needed to operate
the compound helicopter's systems will be integrated into the aircraft's
existing mechanical controls to reduce pilot workload. Weight added to
the X-49A YSH-60F will be about 1,600 lb (725 kg).
As of 2004 the X-49A YSH-60F/VTDP demonstration
program was being transitioned from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Army.
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