MD Helicopters Explorer
| MD 900N | |
|---|---|
 An MD 902 of the Baden-Württemberg police at Stuttgart Airport |
|
| Type: | Light multipurpose helicopter |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
18th December 1992 |
The MD 900 Explorer is an eight-seat, twin-engine , turbine -powered helicopter from the US manufacturer MD Helicopters . The United States Coast Guard uses the model under the name MH-90 Enforcer .
history
The first studies of the MD Explorer were presented by McDonnell Douglas in February 1988 as Type MDX. However, the decision to develop it wasn't made until a year later. The series version was initially called MD 900 or MD 901 / MD 902, which was later changed to MD Explorer . The first prototype took off on its maiden flight on December 18, 1992 .
The first series helicopter took off on August 3, 1994 and received FAA approval on December 2, 1994 . The first delivery took place in the same month. European approval followed in 1996. The first machine of the improved type MD 902, which is equipped with more powerful engines, improved heating and an EFIS and is suitable for night flights, was delivered to Japan in May 1998 (first flight 1997). In January 2000, 57 machines of the series were in use.
An armed military variant is now also available as the MH-90 Enforcer .
technology
A special feature of this type is the torque compensation without the rear rotor according to the NOTAR principle. This makes it particularly suitable as a rescue helicopter because there is no danger to people from the tail rotor during rescue operations. The NOTAR system is supplied with compressed air by a blower installed in the root of the tail boom . This has a diameter of 56 cm and 13 adjustable blades and is driven by the main gear.
The airframe and the five hingeless rotor blades consist largely of carbon fiber composites. Initially, Turbomeca engines were planned as propulsion systems , but this was later abandoned in favor of the throttled Pratt & Whitney PW206A equipped with a digital control system ( FADEC - Full Authority Digital Engine Control) . A skid landing gear serves as the landing device.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data of the MD 902 Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| crew | 1-2 | |
| Passengers | 6-7; in rescue operations doctor and 2 stretchers | |
| Hull length | 10.39 m | |
| Length over all | 12.37 m (rotor turning) | |
| width | Cabin (outside) | 1.62 m |
| at the level of the engines | 1.80 m | |
| with stern tail | 2.84 m | |
| on the runners | 2.23 m | |
| Cabin size (L × W × H) | 1.91 x 1.45 x 1.24 m | |
| height | 3.66 m | |
| Rotor diameter | 10.34 m | |
| External load | 1360 kg (trailer load) | |
| Empty mass | 1530 kg | |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 2948 kg (3130 kg with external load) | |
| Engines | 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206E with 373 kW continuous and 410 kW starting power each | |
| Fuel supply | 730 l | |
| Rotor speed N R / 100% | 392 / min | |
| Top speed | 259 km / h | |
| Cruising speed | 252 km / h | |
| Max. Rate of climb | 10-14 m / s a | |
| Service ceiling | 4200-6100 m a | |
| Range | 485-600 km a | |
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Archive link ( Memento from November 23, 2015 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ FliegerRevue April 2009, p. 99, collection series - MD-900