Racer, short for Rapid And Cost Effective Rotorcraft, will feature various innovations and is designed for a traveling speed of more than 400 kilometers per hour. This new type of high-speed helicopter is to be used, in particular, for search and rescue operations, emergency care as well as public and private transport flights. In order for the demonstrator to obtain a flight permit in 2020, the structures of the helicopter must be checked, among other things, for their aviation security and designed accordingly. For the new "Racer" helicopter these simulations were carried out at the Fraunhofer EMI. Modern simulation methods have been used to calculate how hard the helicopter structures are, and where they need to be reinforced to withstand the bird strike. The findings from the simulations carried out by the Fraunhofer EMI are used by Airbus Helicopters as proof of compliance with the requirements for the flight permit according to EASA Norm CS-29.

More Information: emi.fraunhofer.de/aktuelles