General arrangement and text excerpts about the Model 301 by Boeing Vertol (
source):
Vehicle Description
The Boeing Vertol Model 301 is a heavy lift helicopter (HLH) designed to provide vertical airlift capability for large and heavy loads. As originally designed, it was configured as a 'crane' helicopter primarily designed to lift external loads such as standard shipboard container modules, slings, platforms or special pods. For study purposes, a civil transport version of the Model 301 also was investigated. This transport configuration would have a larger fuselage with the capability of transporting 140 passengers in a 7-abreast, dual-aisle airline arrangement. Although similar in many ways, each helicopter has sufficient differences to be treated separately for the crane and transport configurations.
The heavy lift helicopter, described in this section, is the result of an intensive design study performed for the U.S. Army. The HLH rotor system was assembled and whirled on both a rotor tower as well as an integrated powerplant/drive system test facility (DSTR) which included one rotor, transmissions, and engines.
Model 301 Crane
The Boeing Vertol Model 301 crane is a tandem rotor shaft-driven helicopter powered by three T701-AD-700 gas turbine engines of 8079 HP each. It provides a vertical airlift capability for loads carried externally beneath the fuselage utilizing either a single or two point suspension system. The crew compartment accommodates a pilot, copilot, flight engineer and load controlling crewman. A combination troop/light cargo compartment is aft of the crew compartment. Aft of the troop compartment, the center section contains the cargo handling equipment in the forward and aft positions. Each of the two hoists are located in this section.
The main rotors are four-bladed and operate at 156 RPM (750 fps tip speed). A fly-by-wire flight control system has been incorporated in the aircraft.
Model 301 Transport
The Boeing Vertol Model 301 transport, like the crane, is a tandem rotor, three engine helicopter. It has the same drive system and rotor as the crane, but the airframe is configured to transport 140 passengers. The load controllers cab and associated flight controls, etc. have been removed.
Noise Sources
Model 301 flyover noise levels have been estimated using measured test rig data as well as predirtive methodology. Noise levels were based on: (1) measurements of an HLH rotor on a whirl tower, (2) data obtained on the dynamic system test rig, (3) comparison with flyover noise levels measured on the Boeing Vertol Model 347 (similar rotor geometry to the Model 301), and (4) analytical predictions.
The basic approach to estimating Model 301 flyover EPNL was to relate it to Model 347 flyover data since overlap and rotor configuration are similar on the two helicopters. Therefore, PNL flyover time histories were assumed to have similar characteristics, although absolute levels differed.
Since rotor geometry, powerplants, drive system and gross weight are similar on the crane and transport configuration, noise sources are similar. Configuration changes on the transport rotor system also are the same as those for the crane.