Rotorcraft Program Overview: Rotary-Wing Research at the German Aerospace Center

Abstract

This presentation is an overview of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) rotorcraft program, outlining the current rotary-wing research. It provides a brief sketch of DLR research centers and budget, followed by more detail on the content of work within the six research fields (RF) of the rotorcraft program. These are: RF1 – The Virtual Aerodynamic Rotorcraft; RF2 – The Quiet and Comfortable Rotorcraft; RF3 – The Smart Rotorcraft; RF4 – The Robust Rotorcraft; RF5 – The Innovative Rotorcraft; and RF6 – Material and Manufacturing. Finally, Dr. van der Wall will discuss the nature of his research during his sabbatical at NASA Ames, which addresses aerodynamic interference of rotorcraft airframe or wind tunnel rotor test apparatus with the rotor blades and their wake operating directly above.