18
$\begingroup$

It seems in 1950's some countries investigated production of helicopters powered by ramjet engines on rotor tips - examples include American Hiller YH-32 Hornet or Polish JK-1 Trzmiel. The enthusiasm was short-lived - high fuel requirements, a significant load to the power transmission system, noise and high visibility on battlefield were significant disadvantages that ended the research programs which I know of.

Still, that's over half a century ago, and the technology has progressed quite a bit since then so maybe some technical problems of that epoch are now past? - The ramjets are small, lightweight and quite simple in construction, so despite the disadvantages the technology doesn't seem like a total dead-end. Was this line of helicopter propulsion investigated further? Could someone provide a progress report - if there is anything to report? Or is this research branch still dead, with no attempts to revive it?

| improve this question | |
$\endgroup$
13
$\begingroup$

Tip jet rotors are still being developed, none of them are ramjet powered as far as I know. The Dragonfly DF1 is tip rocket powered, while the Pegasus uses air jets powered by a conventional engine.

Ramjet technology has not improved, so the cases for using them on rotor tips has not changed. They are still too heavy, thirsty and noisy.

| improve this answer | |
$\endgroup$
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Ramjets aren't particularly heavy, especially when designed for subsonic flight speeds. But at those speeds they are horribly inefficient. $\endgroup$ – Peter Kämpf Jul 6 '18 at 17:25
9
$\begingroup$

Short answer: No.

Or at least, nothing that's been demonstrated that I'm aware of. Whether there have been experimental R&D aircraft or developments, I'm not sure - but I can't find any.

The simplest reason is just because there's no need for them - they offer no real advantages over a conventional internal combustion or jet engine, so as with so much else in aviation we stick with the tried and tested "we know it works" product, unless there's a good reason to change.

It's not necessarily that tip-jet helicopters are a complete dead end in terms of development, just that we don't see any advantages to be gained from them.

| improve this answer | |
$\endgroup$
4
$\begingroup$

I'm reading a book right now that talks briefly about flight testing the Hiller. As I recall, it was tough to get both engines started at the same time, and if one of them cut out, was a pretty violent affair. It was also an environmental disaster, with horrible fumes and noise. It was an interesting experiment, but it had no real world application at all. There still doesn't appear to be one.

| improve this answer | |
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.