Domestic researchers have secured design and analysis technologies for core rotary-wing aircraft (helicopter) components, laying the foundation for the domestic development of aviation power transmission system parts.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials announced on the 22nd that a research team at the Virtual Engineering Platform Research Division has succeeded in developing four key components for a next-generation rotary-wing aircraft power transmission system.

The power transmission system is a core component of an aircraft that transmits engine power to the rotor. It is known as a technology that simultaneously requires high-speed rotation and a lightweight structure.

The research team secured source technology for four key components: clutch, gear, housing, and bearing.

We conducted proprietary design and analysis technologies and manufactured prototypes for each component, and verified performance through static testing, durability testing, and life testing.

Specifically, the clutch has secured technology to improve heat resistance and wear characteristics, while the gear has applied lightweight design and dynamic analysis technology.

The housing utilized 3D printing-based structure and topology optimization technology, while the bearing applied reinforcement learning-based design optimization and fluid analysis technology.

Until now, core components of aviation power transmission systems have relied on foreign technology. This research is expected to establish an in-house technology system that includes the design, analysis, and optimization stages.

In addition, through collaboration with domestic manufacturers and universities, requirements for aviation-grade lightweighting and precision were incorporated.

The research team stated that the secured design process and test data can be utilized in future component development.

Research Director Lee Han-min stated, “We have laid the foundation for technological self-reliance in the field of aviation power transmission systems,” and added that they plan to continue research for future commercialization.

This research was conducted with the support of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Agency for Defense Development.