Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Investigation of a Full-Scale UH-60 Rotor System

An experimental program to test a full-scale UH-60 rotor system in the NASA Ames 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel was completed. The rotor system was installed and tested using a new test stand/facility, the Large Rotor Test Apparatus (LRTA). The experimental program had both operational and research objectives, including 1) demonstration of LRTA capabilities, 2) evaluation of an Individual Blade Control system to reduce vibration and noise, 3) acquisition of low-speed performance and load data for comparison with flight test results and analyses, and 4) validation of a new flow measurement technique. In this paper, the specific objectives and approach for the wind tunnel test are presented along with examples of the research results. Particular attention is placed on describing the experimental program, including the new testing capabilities available with the LRTA. NOTATION