This paper provides an overview of recent research on the aerodynamics of coaxialrotors at the Rotorcraft Aeromechanics Laboratory of the Glasgow University Rotorcraft Labo-ratories. The Laboratory's comprehensive rotorcraft code, known as the Voracity TransportModel, has been used to study the aerodynamics of various coaxial rotor systems. Modelled co-axial rotor systems have ranged from a relatively simple twin two-bladed teetering configura-tion to a generic coaxial helicopter with a stiff main rotor system, a tail-mounted propulsor, anda horizontal stabiliser. Various studies have been performed to investigate the ability of theVoracity Transport Model to reproduce the detailed effect of the rotor wake on the aerodynam-ics and performance of coaxial systems, and its ability to capture the aerodynamic interactionsthat arise between the various components of realistic, complex, coaxial helicopter configura-tions. It is suggested that the use of such a numerical technique not only allows insight into theperformance of such rotor systems but might also eventually allow the various aeromechanicalproblems that often beset new helicopter designs of this type to be circumvented at an earlystage in their design.
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