Composite Developments in Aircraft Structures — Part 3 Available to Purchase

Space limitations preclude more than a brief reference to other important developments in composites but several must be mentioned, the Bell‐Boeing V‐22 Osprey tilt‐rotor aircraft (Fig. 34), the Westland Agusta EH 101 Merlin helicopter (Fig. 35) and the MBB BO108 light twin helicopter (Fig. 36) share the need for the lowest possible structural weight and the maximum fatigue life of blades, consequently composites are widely used in these aircraft. Westland have, of course, achieved a high reputation with their advanced BERP rotor blades with an aerodynamic form said to be incapable of economic production in metal. Fitted with the new blades a Lynx helicopter established a world speed record for helicopters of over 216 knots in 1986.