AgustaWestland Tests Improvements to AW609 TiltRotor

Engineers from AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, are flight testing several aerodynamic improvements to boost the performance of the AW609 TiltRotor. In late July, the company undertook the first flight of a modified vertical tail fin on the second AW609 TiltRotor prototype at its Cascina Costa flight test facility in Italy. 

 

The modified vertical fin is one part of a package of product improvements that also include a new, more aerodynamic design for the engine exhaust nozzles, and changes to the prop-rotor spinner cones. Together, these modifications reduce the drag factor of the AW609 TiltRotor by approximately 10%, while delivering a significant weight reduction, with a resulting performance increase.

 

An upgraded version of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 engine is being used on the AW609 TiltRotor and will include the latest in technological developments, providing the aircraft with increased performance capabilities as well as the latest safety enhancements.

 

Rockwell Collins is supplying a fully integrated cockpit for the AW609 TiltRotor based on its Pro Line Fusion system, allowing AgustaWestland to adopt advanced commercial aircraft cockpit technologies, including 14" (35.5cm) touch-screen displays, integrated flight management systems with satellite-based navigation, synthetic and enhanced vision systems, and head-up-display interfaces; all of which will be integrated with the aircraft’s own avionics management systems. This cockpit suite will provide the crew with increased situational awareness and will reduce pilot workload, according to AgustaWestland officials.

 

BAE Systems is providing an upgraded flight control computer for the AW609 TiltRotor’s triple-redundant, fully digital fly-by-wire flight control system. The computer will include not only the AgustaWestland control laws and flight control software, but also the digital engine control system.

 

The aircraft company’s U.S. subsidiary, AgustaWestland Tilt-Rotor Co., based in Arlington, Texas, is the type applicant for the AW609 TiltRotor and is supported by an integrated development team, based both in Arlington and in Cascina Costa. The first prototype is continuing with envelope expansion activities in the U.S. while the second prototype is flying in Italy, with nearly 800 flying hours completed on these aircraft. A further two prototypes are under final assembly in Italy.