Heavy lift helicopters - A national technology opportunity

The mission requirements and possible design features of future heavy lift helicopters (HLH) in the 120,000 to 150,000-lb gross weight category are described. Attention is given to the military need for such helicopters in view of the U.S. Army's cancellation of the XCH-62 HLH project and the Soviet Union's reported development of the NATO code-named 'Halo' HLH, which has a lift capacity greater than that of any U.S. cargo helicopter. Consideration is given to the relative advantages of the military, 'crane' configuration and those of a full-fuselage transport design with lower aerodynamic drag and greater productivity in longer-range missions. The transport fuselage configuration is also suited for short-haul commercial passenger service, with 140-150 seats initially and 225 seats in subsequent growth versions. Development-program cooperation between the Department of Defense and NASA is recommended.