The Gun-Smash and Atlas Series: A Senior Design Project (Part 2)

In Part 1, I gave an overview of the helicopter my team and I considered for our senior design project at RPI. Now let's take a look at the load-bearing mechanism we designed to go along with it.

Load-Bearing Mechanism

The main ideas we felt were the most plausible for this purpose were either direct cable attachment from the helicopters to the payload, or a cable stay system. We decided upon a cable stay system with four machined blocks of 7050-T7651 aluminum with removable end caps and a swept channel for support. This design provided a much higher minimum factor of safety (3.4) and allowed us to integrate additional safety features. Exploding bolts would allow the system to be dropped in the case of a catastrophe, a parachute recovery system for the payload would be optional, and a backup cable system would be in place. Also, the separation distance that the Atlas itself forces is large enough that the two helicopters could never interact with one another.

Flight Plan

For take-off, the helicopters would need to be situated next to each other in the configuration they would fly in. Cables would then be attached to the beam and cargo. The crafts would need to take-off in a step-wise fashion, one at a time. After picking up the payload simultaneously, the fly-by-wire system would be engaged and the cargo transported to its destination.

In order to return from the mission at hand, the fly-by-wire system would need to be disengaged. After gently setting the beam down, land the helicopters and detach the cables. Stow all parts for another mission, and fly the helicopters to their initial location.

Mission Adaptability

One of the aspects of the Gun-Smash that we have prided ourselves on is that it is basically a package upgrade for the Chinook. A new fleet would not need to be manufactured; relatively simple changes (i.e. new engines and blades) would accomplish the necessary goal. Two Gun-Smash crafts could act as a system or fly independently for other missions, which is another great demonstration of its flexibility.

A fly-by-wire system would be suggested for this system. It would allow for one vehicle to be piloted while a second was kept in position relative to the manned craft. Remote operation would be possible using this system, such that one or two pilots could control both vehicles from the ground at an alternate location.

The team from RPI was proud to submit its design to the AHS for review. We felt the Gun-Smash was a great upgrade with its incorporated high-performance blades and improved transmission, while the Atlas would be capable of integrating two helicopters into one, flawless system.