Rotor - Eurocopter

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The Korean Helicopter Program (KHP) was launched
by Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) to develop the
KUH, a medium-sized military transport helicopter. KAI
is directing the program, while Eurocopter is supplying
technical support for the helicopter’s development and
manufacturing certain subassemblies (i.e. automatic pilots, gearboxes,
rotor shafts, etc.).
“Development for the KUH first began in 2006, and the helicopter
is scheduled to enter into service in 2012,” explains Hubert Mantel,
the program director for Eurocopter. “So we are now at the halfway
point in the development process, and have reached each milestone
right on schedule. The first prototype, which was rolled out on July
31 of this year, is now complete and fully equipped.” Seoul attached
a great deal of importance to the event, and the Korean President
Lee Myung-bak personally attended the rollout.
First Flight of the DTV
Another major event in the program took place this summer: the
maiden flight of the Dynamic Test Vehicle (DTV) in Marignane.
“The DTV was presented to the CEO of Eurocopter, Lutz Bertling,
last May,” continues Mr. Mantel. “It was the completed vehicle, with
its General Electric engines, cowlings manufactured by KAI and
its Eurocopter dynamic components. The aircraft first underwent
ground testing, and then began its flight tests several weeks ahead of
schedule. The maiden flight was performed on July 10 the same day
we received the flight authorization from the French authorities!”
The DTV makes use of the basic Super Puma platform to integrate
the dynamic assemblies developed by Eurocopter for the KUH. The
aircraft was completed right on schedule and without overrunning
budget costs. “We had to work with a reduced team,” says Mr.
Mantel, “but we were very united behind our goal.”
The next step for the program will be the maiden flight of the KUH,
scheduled for March 2010. Eurocopter is also mustering its troops
to prepare for the manufacturing of several hundred dynamic assemblies.
Approximately a dozen additional Eurocopter employees
will also be sent on assignment to Korea to provide support for
the helicopter manufacturing. Over the long term, plans are being
studied to create a joint venture to place the KUH on the market
outside Korea. But that’s not all: The possibility of developing a
Korean Attack Helicopter (KAH), based on the KUH and optimized
for attack missions, may also be on the horizon. ■
© Eurocopter
ROT O R JO URNAL - NO . 8 3 - OCT O BER/ N O VEMBER 2009