Cooperative research on rotor blade optimization between JAXA-ONERA-DLR: Results of Phase I

A collaborative research on optimization of a main rotor blade for helicopters by JAXA, ONERA and DLR is underway. As a first step, blade optimization method with five design variables is explored by dealing with hovering conditions. Optimizations and simulations are carried out by each agency with their own analysis codes and these results are cross-validated. This paper presents an overview of the project and an interim report on the results obtained so far.