Rotor torque predictor

A system for determining the total torque required at the main and tail rotors of a helicopter for use in feed-forward rotor torque anticipation, the total torque including the aerodynamic torque and static torque at the main and tail rotors, the system comprising:

• a) a polynomial neural network adapted and configured to predict the aerodynamic torque at the main and tail rotors with the helicopter in motion based upon a plurality of pilot inputs and airframe inputs;
• b) a main rotor load map for determining the torque at the main rotor in hover out of ground effects based upon main rotor speed and collective stick position;
• c) a tail rotor load map for determining the torque at the tail rotor with the helicopter stationary based upon main rotor speed and pedal position;
• and
• d) means for calculating the required total torque at the main and tail rotors by summing the outputs of the polynomial neural network, and the main and tail rotor load maps.