Development of a light multipurpose helicopter VM-4

Project summary

Project Description

"Development of a light multipurpose helicopter VM-4" Shmel "

The prototype of the Bumblebee helicopter is a 4-seater multipurpose helicopter KT-112 "Angel" (with Austrian engines " Rotax 912"), which was created at the "Vertical" design bureau (Kiev), successfully passed factory tests and was preparing for certification tests. Due to lack of funding, the project was closed in 2010.

At present, Aviation Company VEKTOR LLC plans to develop a new 4-seater multipurpose helicopter, taking into account already new design and technological solutions, materials, onboard equipment and engines.

The use of two aircraft piston engines, modern composite materials and on-board equipment will make it possible to achieve flight performance, thanks to which the helicopter will be able to compete with the most massive foreign analogue, the American Robinson R 44 helicopter .

In addition, in the future, it is planned to develop helicopters using hybrid and electric power plants.

The company has a Patent for a "Helicopter with two propellers", a Patent for a "Helicopter with a hybrid power plant" and a Patent for an "Ambulance helicopter".

The development process of a helicopter and preparation for its serial production is carried out within 3 years:

1st year - development of design and technological documentation

2nd year - production of 3 prototypes

3rd year - testing of prototypes, revision of technical documentation, certification of the helicopter.

4th year - preparation of production, production of an initial batch of the first serial helicopters on the basis of the ANTONOV aircraft plant.

To implement the Project, up to the stage of serial production, it will take $ 4.5 million. USA for a period of up to 3 years.

The amount of additional funding for serial production will depend on the planned helicopter production program and technologies used in production.

In the case of using existing production facilities, the costs of organizing serial production are significantly reduced.

Description of the helicopter design

A feature of the VM-4 "Bumblebee" helicopter, in contrast to its analogue ( Robinson R 44 helicopters ), is the widespread use of aviation composite materials, new onboard equipment and the use of two powerful piston engines located inside the helicopter fuselage, which improves its flight characteristics and provides economic feasibility.

The use of the newest composite materials will make it possible to manufacture a helicopter with an optimal weight return, perfect aerodynamic shapes and high strength characteristics.

The power plant of the helicopter provides for the use of two piston engines of the Italian company MWfly B 25 D (maximum power 155 hp) or Rotax 915 iSc (maximum power 141 hp), which can run on motor gasoline A-95.

We work closely with the Ivchenko-Progress plant (Zaporozhye). They are engaged in the development of domestic gearboxes and motors, which we will also use in the future.

The location of the engines inside the fuselage within the limits of human height and closer to the center of gravity of the helicopter allows easy access to them without the use of special ground devices and improves controllability in all flight modes.

The presence of two engines in the power plant of the helicopter provides it, in the event of a failure of one of them, the continuation of a controlled flight with full load until a safe landing, which is important for the use of the helicopter over densely populated areas of urban infrastructure, mountain and forest areas, sea water, in a sanitary version and in the patrol version, in the case of use by the police or border units.

The comfortable and spacious cockpit of the helicopter has an air conditioning system and can comfortably accommodate one pilot and 3 passengers. The large glass area of the cockpit provides the pilot and passengers with a good view.

The onboard equipment of the helicopter will make it possible to fly in simple weather conditions. If it is necessary to fly in more difficult conditions, the helicopter will be retrofitted with the appropriate equipment. The basic platform of the helicopter allows you to change the complex of onboard equipment depending on the tasks being performed.

The helicopter landing gear provides takeoff and landing from any hard surface. If it is possible to land on the water surface, the chassis is equipped with inflatable floats.

The company has a Patent for a "Helicopter with two propulsion system", a Patent for a "Helicopter with a hybrid power plant" and a Patent for an ambulance helicopter.

All of the above technical and innovative solutions will allow the helicopter to provide worthy competition to foreign counterparts in the international aviation market for light multipurpose helicopters.

Target consumers

• administrative apparatus of regional state administrations;

• urban air transport;
• air and water police patrol VM-4P "Patrol";
• medical aviation (VM-S "Peon")
• provision of search and rescue of people in emergency conditions;
• business structures;
• private sector;

• oil and gas, mining, forestry and water management;

• flight schools;
• Agriculture;
• military application:

- carrier-based aircraft

- anti-submarine aviation (VM-4M "Neptune")

- border troops (VM-4M "Dozor")

- intelligence service

- attack helicopter (VM-4V "Cyborg")

It is important to note that the VM-4 helicopter, in the corresponding modifications, is of interest from the border guards and special operations forces (there are corresponding letters).

Assessment of competitors

When determining the design of the VM-4 "Bumblebee" helicopter, the advantages and disadvantages of its counterparts were taken into account, which are discussed below.

American helicopter Robinson R 44.

Currently, the Robinson R 44 helicopter is the most massive 4-seater all-metal helicopter with a single piston engine powered by 100LL aviation gasoline. The helicopter was developed in the 80s of the last century using the technologies of the 50s. The disadvantage of this helicopter is the difficulty in control *, which requires special pilot skills to operate such a helicopter. Also, the helicopter is equipped with only one engine, which automatically makes it unsuitable for flying over the city (according to aviation rules), and dangerous in case of engine failure over large tracts with difficult terrain (forests, mountains) and sea water.

Comparative characteristics

*) Caution: two-bladed main rotor

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