This document discusses several proposals to increase the capabilities of existing military helicopters through modifications and new technologies. It describes a proposal to convert UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters into a compound helicopter configuration called the Piasecki UH-60 Ringtail, which could carry more payload at faster speeds over longer ranges than current models. It also discusses revisiting experiments from the 1970s to develop a compound Chinook helicopter with even higher speeds. Finally, it proposes a new blade-in-disk vertical lift technology that could allow modified helicopters to cruise at speeds up to 500 knots while maintaining VTOL capabilities.

1. Piasecki UH-60 “Ringtail”
Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP)
Current NAVY-USAF Contract
Piasecki UH-60 Ringtail
* 14,000 Lbs. Empty with SEL
* 2,500 Lbs. Fuel Internal
* 2,500 Lbs. Fuel Wings
* 8,000 Lbs. Wiesel-2 AMSV-L
* 27,000 Lbs. GWT (Rolling T/O)
(15% Increase via Wing Loading)
* 1,500 Lbs. Fuel per hour
* 170 knots (300 km/hr) @ 3.2 hr
= 4,000 Lbs. of Fuel Needed
220 Knots Dash Speed, 190 Knot Cruise, (170 w/AMSV-L)
$4-6 Million to Convert UH-60L (New UH-60L = $8-10 Million)
75-80% of V-22 Osprey Performance (V-22 Costs $80 Million)
Conversion Kits Ready 2006, Low Training Requirement
Double Combat Radius, 50% Faster & Self Deploy in 96 hrs

2. Compound the CH-47
Chinook Helicopter
Earlier Boeing 347 Compound CH-47 Test Bed 1970s
190 knot Cruise Speed
Rework B-347 Project!
* Low-Wing
* Props or Ducted Fans
Powered by Engines
* 190 Knot Cruise
* $ 8-10 Million per Kit
* Ready in 2007
Self Deployability in 96-120 hours with low stress on main rotors

3. Blade-In-Disk (BID)
Retractable Rotor FTR Concept
Vertiflight Corporation’s Blade-In-Disc Concept
Aerodynamic Disks Act as Wings
4 Blades slide outward for V/TOL
s
ngine
Fuel, E
e Cockpit
UH-60 Siz
& Cabin
Pod
ti-Service
SP ) Mul
(M
Major Chuck Jarnot
500 Knot Airliner Cruise Speed = Self Deploy in 24 Hrs
15-20 Ton Payload (FCS) Combat Radius 1000 Kilometers
Excellent Joint Civil Aviation Cost Sharing Candidate
Low-Maintenance, Rotor-Disk only turns during V/TOL

4. Air-Mech-Strike M113A3 Gavins Possible Now via CH-47 Chinook
Empty Weight CH-47D No Fuel…..26,000 Lbs.
1/2 tank of fuel (50 Km radius)…… 3,000 Lbs.
M113A3 with 11 Troops……….…...22,000 Lbs.
Total Gross Weight = ………….…..55,000 Lbs.
Peace Time Limit is 50,000 pound Max GWT
war Time = 55,000 Pounds i.e. Desert Storm
Lightweight “Gavin” M113A3 Weighs 22,000 Lbs.
“Gavin”
with 11 Troops and without Soldiers 19,000 Lbs.
Making M113A3-based Air-Mech-Strike Medium
Vehicle practical under most conditions.
Current CH-47D Helicopters can only lift an M113A3 without troops a very short distance
and only under ideal temperature and low-altitude conditions. This is only a practical
option for river-crossings etc. However, with a modest low-cost weight reduction
program applied to the standard M113A3, creates a CH-47-M113A3 airmechanized capability.
Already developed “Band Tracks” from United Defense along with kevlar doors
and hatches replacing heavier metal ramps could reduce the vehicle weight up to 4,000
pounds without rebuilding the basic drive train. This reduction also results in two M113A3
Gavins carried in a C-130 STOL aircraft vice only one. Band Tracks also improve road speed,
reduces noise and crew fatigue by reduced vibration. The lightweight M113A3 “Gavin”
Fighting Vehicle (GFV) in this edition is defined as an Air-Mech-Strike “Medium” class vehicle.