**Abstract**

A new vortex model of a helicopter rotor with an infinite number of blades is proposed, based on Shaidakov's linear disk theory for calculating inductive speeds at any point in space in the helicopter area. It is proposed to consider the helicopter rotor and the behind vortex column as a system of discrete vortex cylinders. This allows building a matrix of the influence of the vortex system under consideration on any set of points, for example, the calculated points on the rotor itself, on the tail rotor, etc. The model allows calculating inductive velocities at any point near the helicopter using matrix multiplication operation. It is shown that the classical results for the momentum theory remain constant even in the discrete simulation of the helicopter rotor vortex system. The structure of the air flow behind the rotor and the simulation results obtained by the proposed method is compared with the structure of the tip vortices and the results of the blade vortex theory. In addition, the experimental data were compared with the simulation results to verify the correctness of the model under real operating conditions by the helicopter trimming.

**Keywords:** induced velocity, intensity of circulation, discrete vortex cylinder, influence matrix, Shaidakov's linear disk theory

## **1. Introduction**

The character of the load distribution on the disk rotor vortex theory affects induced velocity. In turn, the inductive flow is the most important factor affecting the value of the inductive losses, as well as forces and moments acting on the helicopter's rotor. Therefore, the efforts of many authors are aimed for creating theories and methods for the simplest way to calculate the induced-velocity field, without which it is impossible to calculate the determination of the aerodynamic characteristics of the rotor.

In conditions of low velocities, induced-velocity field is particularly irregular. This leads to significant changes of aerodynamic forces acting on the blade. The blades begin to oscillate with higher amplitudes, causing significant variable tensions inside blades.
