Bell-Agusta BA-609
- CountryUnited States of America
- TypeSix to nine seat corporate/utility tiltrotor
- PowerplantsTwo 1378kW (1848shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C67A turboprops driving three blade proprotors.
- PerformanceProvisional - Max cruising speed 510km/h (275kt), normal cruising speed 465km/h (260kt). Operational ceiling 25,000ft. Range with a 2500kg (5500lb) useful load at 465km/h (260kt) 1400km (755nm).
- WeightsProvisional - Empty 4765kg (10,400lb), max takeoff 7265kg (16,815lb).
- DimentionsProvisional - Proprotor diameter 7.9m (26ft), span between proprotor centres 10m (33ft), fuselage length 13.4m (44ft), width overall rotors turning 18.3m (60ft), height 4.6m (15ft).
- CapacityTo be certificated for single pilot IFR operation. Main cabin seats six to nine passengers depending on configuration. Could also be configured for search and rescue/medevac.
- ProductionFirst deliveries planned for April 2002. Unit price $US810m depending on configuration. Potential market estimated at up to 1000 over the next two decades.
The Bell BA 609 is situated to turn into the first common application of the progressive tiltrotor innovation, exploiting its involvement with the military V22 Osprey.
Chime spearheaded the tiltrotor idea with the trial Xv3 which first flew as right on time as 1957 and after that with NASA created the Xv15 test demonstrator which first flew in 1977. In conjunction with Boeing it is building the military V-22 Osprey - the first generation Ospreys are because of be conveyed to the US Marines in 1999.
In late 1996 Bell and Boeing published that they proposed to utilize their ability and involvement with the V22 to create a nine seat common tiltrotor. The Bell Boeing 609 was formally disclosed on November 18 1996. However in ahead of schedule 1998 Boeing proclaimed its withdrawal from the project as a danger offering accomplice to stay as a significant subcontractor. At that point in September that year Bell advertised that Agusta would turn into a danger imparting advancement accomplice in the redesignated BA 609. Agusta will take an interest in BA 609 advancement, fabricate segments and gather BA 609s for European and different markets.
To start with flight for the BA 609 is made arrangements for mid 1999 with certificate and first conveyances booked for April 2002. (The US FAA is drawing up another confirmation classification for tiltrotors and another pilot sort rating.)
The profits of a tiltrotor are that it has the vertical takeoff, arriving and drifting capabilities of a helicopter joined with settled wing turboprop pace and execution. As being what is indicated Bell envisions that the 609 will go up against helicopters, for example, the Sikorsky S76 and turboprops, for example, Beech's King Air. And also indicate point corporate transport Bell conceives that the 609 will be utilized for seaward oil apparatus help, hunt and salvage and medevac missions, where its special abilities would be especially valuable.
The 609 will fuse progressed innovations, for example, a glass cockpit, flybywire flight controls and a composite development fuselage. Force will be from two Pt6c67a turboprops.
The 609 could structure the premise for a group of common tiltrotors.
Pictures of Bell-Agusta BA-609
