Advances in Rotorcraft Crashworthiness - Trends Leading to Improved Survivability.

This paper documents progress in rotorcraft crashworthiness research and development that has been realized during the past forty years. Trends are presented in several categories including: facilities and equipment for conducting crash testing, updated crash certification requirements, the application of crash modeling and simulation techniques, and rotorcraft structural design for improved crash performance focusing on the application of advanced composite materials. Likely one of the most important advances is the ability to rapidly simulate crash impacts and to see the effects of design changes on the impact response. Enhanced dynamic computer simulations have greatly improved automotive safety today and are making inroads in the aerospace community. Consequently, a detailed discussion of advances in crash modeling and simulation is presented. The paper concludes with a list of suggested recommendations, such that the progress made to date can be continued into the future.