DNW has successfully hosted a experimental campaign on an innovative helicopter rotor system featuring active blade twisting. The tests, conducted as part of the Smart Twisting Active Rotor (STAR) project, evaluated a four-bladed helicopter rotor equipped with integrated piezoceramic actuators in a large-scale, realistic wind tunnel environment.
Key Results
- Significant improvements in noise, vibration, and aerodynamic efficiency
- Noise reductions of up to 7 dB during simulated landing descent conditions
- Rotor vibrations reduced by more than 50%
- Efficiency increased under high-load operating conditions
DNW's Role
The DNW-LLF wind tunnel facility provided the necessary scale, flow quality, and advanced measurement capabilities for the complex test programme. The campaign highlights DNW's position as a leading international test centre for rotorcraft and aerospace research.
Active Blade Twisting Technology
The rotor blades feature piezoceramic actuators integrated directly into the blade surface, allowing for active twisting without mechanical components. This approach enables static and dynamic adaptation to changing aerodynamic conditions.
International Collaboration
The measurement campaign was conducted in collaboration with an international consortium, including DLR, NASA, the United States Army, ONERA, JAXA, KARI, and Konkuk University. A comprehensive dataset was collected to support the validation of advanced computational models and further development of active rotor technologies.
Future Applications
The successful tests demonstrate the applicability of active blade twisting to future aircraft concepts, including conventional helicopters, high-speed rotor configurations and urban air mobility vehicles. DNW's involvement confirms its critical role in linking cutting-edge research to next-generation aerospace applications.
Copy right photos: DLR/Leon Jakobs