Mission and concept evaluation for a multirole, mission-adaptable air vehicle

The paper describes the results from a concept exploration study to assess the feasibility of a modular/reconfigurable rotorcraft designated the “multirole, mission-adaptable air vehicle (MRMAAV)”. The initial phase of the study consisted of developing mission and operational requirements for the vehicle. This phase resulted in the assessment that the aircraft should be considered primarily an attack vehicle but with the capability, through reconfiguration, for performing several alternate missions. Evaluation of several high-speed rotorcraft concepts led to the selection of two platform configurations for further study. These included the variable-diameter compound helicopter (VDCH) and the joined-wing tilt rotor (JWTR). Detailed sizing efforts focused on the VDCH as the more feasible of the two concepts. Innovative aspects of the air vehicle include variable-diameter main rotor, turboshaft/turbofan convertible engine, virtual-canopy cockpit, and reconfigurable payload bay. The mission-equipment package is highlighted by an autonomous remote sensor platform. The study identifies areas which best lend themselves to a modular or reconfigurable design approach and describes in detail a candidate vehicle meeting the MRMAAV objectives.