The WIMPER project aims to develop lightweight, erosion-resistant windows and windshields to withstand bird strike, even at high speeds, for the RACER helicopter.
The WIMPER windshield increases safety and enhances resistance to erosion which leads to better visibility. Anti-ice and improved water repellent features on the outside and anti-fog capabilities for the flight deck bring operational advantages. The coating materials for polycarbonate that were developed will also reduce the power consumption of the air conditioning devices. The weight-saving potential for the air-conditioning / anti-ice devices is approx. 0.6 % of the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of the rotorcraft, which leads to a reduction of the same amount of fuel/CO2 emissions.
Bird strike tests carried out until March 2019 involved the DLR-RAB, a reinforced artificial bird which behaves like a real bird when accelerated to about 410 km/h. Impact tests on the front glazing and its canopy frame at various temperatures were simulated, analyzed, and accepted in May 2020.
Over the next few months, the WIMPER consortium will deliver flightworthy hardware which will be integrated into RACER. The WIMPER team has collaborated with the FASTCAN team as the windshield and lower cockpit windows will be integrated with the canopy delivered by FASTCAN.
The WIMPER consortium consists of KRD Sicherheitstechnik GmbH, German Aerospace Center DLR, Institute of Structures and Design, and the University of Stuttgart with its Institute of Aircraft Design. The coordination of the RACER demonstrator is managed by Airbus Helicopters. The project will end in July 2021 and has received €600 000 in EU funding.
