BERP: better blades for Merlin.(BUSINESS BRIEFING)(Brief article)

Agusta Westland has successfully completed the qualification flight testing of the new generation BERP IV AW101 main rotor blades. The new technology blades will enter operational service in early 2008 on the UK's Royal Air Force fleet of AW101 Merlin Mk.3A helicopters. The BERP IV programme commenced in 2000, with a technology selection and integration phase leading to the design and manufacturing phase in 2002. The blades first flew in September 2006 and have now completed a 13-month flight test programme during which the AW101 was own at speeds up to 198 knots and at altitudes of 13,000ft. Aircraft fitted with BERP IV blades have also been flown at weights up to 16,500kg--1,900kg over the normal Merlin gross weight and 900kg over the current AWl01 maximum gross weight.

The BERP IV main rotor blades have now been productionised and manufactured by AgustaWestland within six months of a contract award by the MoD to support an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for increased hot-and-high lift capability on the AWl01 Merlin Mk 3A helicopters. The blades can also be directly retrofitted to other AWl01 variants as a direct replacement for the existing blades.

BERP IV blades represent the next generation of rotor technology developed under a jointly funded AgustaWestland and UK Ministry of Defence rotor technology development and demonstration programme. The blades incorporate an improved planform, new aerofoil sections and an advanced aero-elastically tailored structure to provide reduced vibration, 10 knots additional cruise speed and 650kg additional lift capability over the standard AWl01 Merlin main rotor blades.

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