Main Rotor Types

 

What is Main Rotor?

The main rotor is the large rotating blade system mounted on top (or sometimes along the fuselage) of a helicopter. It generates lift by pushing air downward and also controls movement (forward, backward, sideways) by changing blade pitch. In simple terms: no main rotor, no flying — it’s the helicopter’s “engine-powered wing.”

A main rotor hub

1. Single Main Rotor

This is the most common design. One large rotor provides lift, and a smaller tail rotor counters torque (the spinning force that would otherwise rotate the body).

Examples:

• UH-60 Black Hawk                              
  

• Bell UH-1 Iroquois

• Mil Mi-8

2. Tandem Rotor

Two large rotors are placed front and rear. They spin in opposite directions, so no tail rotor is needed.

Examples:

• Boeing CH-47 Chinook

• Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight

3. Coaxial Rotor

Two rotors are mounted on the same mast, one above the other, spinning in opposite directions. This cancels torque without a tail rotor.

Examples:

• Kamov Ka-52

• Kamov Ka-27

4. Intermeshing (Synchropter)

Two rotors are mounted at an angle and interlock without hitting each other. They rotate in opposite directions.

Examples:

• Kaman K-MAX

• Kaman HH-43 Huskie