Military helicopter tail rotor solutions?

Question

Is anyone working on solving loss of tail rotor function from RPG's as seen in the movie "Black Hawk Down"? I've wondered this for many years, whether or not it's possible to design a system whereby tail rotor loss of function could be minimized by some kind of emergency jet propulsion in the tail section to produce the necessary thrust for safe control of the helicopter or by directing engine exhaust in a sidewards manner much like an engine reverse thruster to minimize or eliminate torque thrust. I'm also wondering why the military does not employ the NOTAR system in combat zone helicopters to mitigate being brought down by RPG's. Any helicopter engineers or pilots wish to comment?

Answer 1

A helicopter will streamline straight if you have enough forward airspeed, in most cases 60-70 knots. The only good things about the NOTAR are that it's quiet and it minimizes tail rotor strikes. Other than that, it is too slow to respond. Once you put in pedal, it hesitates before it reacts.

Answer 2

With out the tail rotor it will gyrate uncontrollably.It functions like a steering wheel in a car.I am not a helicopter pilot and would not wish to put you or anyone else off inventing any life saving device that may prove to be effective under these circumstances.So keep up the good work and to test any ideas that you think may function requires small remote models to test out any new ideas that are invented.Good Luck.

Answer 3

If you lose your tail boom, you lose your Notar or any jet thrust in that area. If there was someway to compensate for the loss of a the blades, then I think it would help, but if you are struck solidly with an explosive on your tail, I don't think anything would be helping with your torque.

Answer 4

NOTAR reduces maneuverability and power. Tim Taylorism does not like a loss of power. Pilots, I am guessing, don't like the loss of either. Especially when being shot at.

SSG US Army 73-82 Avionics and Signal