MD Helicopters MD Explorer
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MD Helicopters MD Explorer. A photo. Characteristics.

MD Helicopters MD Explorer

 

In 1988 helicopter branch of McDonnel Douglas start designing a new generation of multi-purpose helicopter, equipped with NOTAR system for military and civilian use. Helicopter MD 900 Explorer can equally well be used as a utility for the execution of civil transportation and military purposes in order to ensure communication and observation, fire support of the army and fight with tanks.

The design of the helicopter under the name MDX was started by McDonnell-Douglas in 1988 and was carried out in parallel with the launch into mass production, development, testing of the first helicopters equipped with the NOTAR system, which use a jet rudder rather than a tail rotor to balance the torque of the main rotor. ... The experience gained in the creation of these helicopters is fully used in the design of the MD900.

 

MD Helicopters MD Explorer photo 2

MD Helicopters MD Explorer photo

The first flight of the helicopter took place on 18.12.1992/XNUMX/XNUMX. The helicopter was built according to a single-rotor scheme, equipped with a NOTAR system and a twin-engine power plant. Due to the fact that the power plant is located above the fuselage, and not in the fuselage, as is the case with past models of McDonnell Douglas multi-purpose helicopters, almost all of the interior of the fuselage can be used as a cargo and flight deck. In the cockpit, two seats are installed for pilots, or for a passenger and a pilot, depending on the purpose of the helicopter. A cargo compartment is located behind the cockpit, which, as a rule, is not separated from the cockpit by a partition.

 

MD Helicopters MD Explorer photo booths

MD Helicopters MD Explorer photo booths

 

Here you can install up to six passenger seats for passengers or place two stretchers for patients. Due to the fact that the cabin floor is made on one level, the helicopter can be used to transport cargo on standard cargo pallets of the required dimensions. Bulky cargo is loaded through the rear cargo hatch, on both sides in front of the fuselage there are also hinged doors for access to the cockpit, and access to the cargo compartment is through two sliding doors, the size of which is 1.2x1.27m. A tail boom equipped with a NOTAR jet rudder is docked behind the fuselage, on which a stabilizer with end swept washers is mounted. Thanks to the widespread use of modern composite materials (kevlar, carbon fiber, fiberglass) and lighter alloys in the fuselage structure, designers have managed to significantly reduce its weight. 

In the helicopter skid landing gear, which can be modified according to the customer on a wheeled chassis. In order to permit landing on water, can be installed inflatable ballonets.

 

MD Helicopters MD Explorer photo 3

MD Helicopters MD Explorer photo

Thanks to the use of two motors in the power plant and the ability to continue flying on one motor when the other engine fails, the helicopter has a higher operational reliability than previous models of the MD500 / 530 helicopters. The first production helicopters were equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW206B gas turbine engines with a takeoff power of 465 kW. each. Installation of TurbomecaТМ319 engines is also possible. The system capacity with fuel is 602 liters. The main rotor of the helicopter has five blades in a rectangular plan. The blades are made of composite materials and have anti-erosion pads.

 

Features Helicopter MD Explorer:

 

  • Range: 476km 

  • Cruising speed: 248km / hour 

  • The highest altitude: 5669m 

  • The highest take-off weight: 3130kg 

  • Cabin height: 1.24m 

  • interior length: 1.91m 

  • The greatest number of passengers: 7 

  • Interior width: 1.45 

  • Height: 3.66m  

  • Length: 9.86m 

 

 

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