Hammerhead: An X-VTOL Design Project

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Design driver: Design an aircraft capable of both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and high cruise speeds

Team Composition

• Worked in a team of eight graduate students
• Focused primarily on mechanicals: brakes, clutches, landing gear, powertrain, engine, cooling, etc. 

Project Requirements

• High-speed rotorcraft capable of VTOL flight at high (75%) hover efficiency
• Designed rotor brake, landing gear, clutch, generators, and powertrain
• Used real-world components as surrogates to validate design & sizing
• Maximum takeoff weight: 12,000 lbs.
• Cruise speed: 315 KTAS at 12,000 ft. MSL

Results

• Design study only

Hammerhead images copyright 2014 Hammerhead Design Team