MENtOR: Methods and Experiments for NOvel Rotorcraft

MENtOR is a result of the activities of the UK Vertical Lift Network (UKVLN). UKVLN is a network funded by ESPRC (EP/M018164/1) aiming to bring together the rotorcraft research community of the UK. MENtOR itself is aiming to develop and validate methods and tools that can be used for the design and analysis of the next-generation rotorcraft. The project is necessary because the conventional configuration of a vertical flying machine is changing from a helicopter with main and tail rotors to different configurations, the most complex of which is the tilt-rotor. This was recently recognised by Ormiston (R.A. Ormiston, 2016, Revitalising advanced rotorcraft research and the compound helicopter. The Aeronautical Journal, 120, pp 83-129) who performed a review on the future of vertical flying machines as part of his American Helicopter Society Nikolsky award and lecture.

In the UK, the tiltrotor configuration has been selected by the rotorcraft industry to be on the roadmap of the Technology Strategy Board for development, based on the AW 609 aircraft and the Clean-Sky 2 initiative. Recent progress with the AW609 highlights the relevance of the proposal and the challenge at hand to design safe and efficient vertical flight machines of such complexity, and the need for research to provide trained engineers with the necessary tools, data and understanding.

MENtoR is a combined effort that includes all researchers in the UK active in the rotorcraft filed. The development of high-fidelity design and simulation tools is a primary objective equal in importance to the validation of the tools using test data. To support this activity MENtOR capitalises on the investment of ATI (former UK Aerodynamics) on the manufacturing of a test rig suitable for wind tunnel experimentation and able to accommodate tilt-rotor configurations. This new facility is currently undergoing commissioning and MENtOR will be the first project to utilise it.

Finally, MENToR has as strong exploitation and dissemination arm that aims to maintain and enhance the position of the UK in the international rotorcraft scene and ensure that the UK industry is well-supported with trained staff, tools and fundamental research to embark in the design and development of this new breed of rotorcraft

MENtOR will deliverer a strong long-lasting impact on Society, Economy and People & Knowledge on all fronts related to vertical lift.

Society: First and foremost, Rotorcraft save lives, on land and on sea - Every day. The proposed project is concerned with current (tilt-rotor) and future vertical-lift vehicles; vehicles that will be used in civil operations: for delivery of goods and people, for relief operations, for management of natural disasters (floods, fires, oil-spills), defensive and offensive military operations, personal transportation, aerial observation, environmental monitoring, border surveillance, monitor sea and trade-routes, patrol energy networks (oil-gas pipelines, electricity); to locate, measure and record sea pollution, record land use and coastal erosion.

Economy: Aerospace engineering and manufacturing secure skilled jobs to the UK industry. This projects aims strategically at rotorcraft, which is a branch of the aerospace industry that secures the UK position in the international area. Leonardo is a prime example of a company exporting high-tech products to the rest of the world. However, there is increased competition from several international fronts that must be faced with innovation, investment in technology and strategic initiatives. The ATI investment in the national rotor rig test facility (about £4.5 million) is a testimonial to the importance of research infrastructure in the area of rotorcraft. The proposal is aligned with the strategic rotorcraft roadmap for the UK that contains tilt-rotors as the main development.

People: The work of the academic partners in education, research and knowledge dissemination will lead to a pool of specialists that will be able to take key roles in the UK academia, industry and government departments. This project will support the development of existing research groups and will strengthen important research areas. The people of these centres are the ones who will develop the necessary, tools, methods, technologies and ideas needed for the future vertical lift machines. It is important to invest in the talent of existing research groups across the UK, and ensure that in the future a pool of experts will be available to support any development of the next generation of vertical lift aircraft. In this way, the MENtOR project will future proof UK vertical lift research and ensure the country can work on an equal footing in EU and international research efforts.