One museum, two locations
Visit us in Washington, DC and Chantilly, VA to explore hundreds of the world’s most significant objects in aviation and space history. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC.
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Udvar-Hazy Center in VA
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Vertical Flight
Learn about the history of helicopters from the first rotary-wing aircraft (autogiro) to the XV-15.
Able to operate freely from nearly any place on earth, helicopters come closer than any other aircraft to achieving the birdlike freedom humanity has always envied. However, the same technology that makes this possible also prevents the helicopter from achieving the speeds and payload capacity of airplanes performing similar functions.
The Autogiro, which used unpowered rotors to provide most of its lift, was the first successful rotary-wing aircraft. The first decades of the 20th century yielded helicopters that could fly, but only marginally. In World War II, refined versions performed medical evacuation and antisubmarine warfare. During the Korean and Vietnam wars, the helicopter finally emerged as an invaluable, and then essential, military tool. Notable technological innovations have occurred since then, and today helicopters are widely used in civilian roles as well.
Location in Museum
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
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Related Topics:
Aviation
Helicopters
Vertical flight
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In this Exhibit
Explore the Collection
Bell XV-15 TRRA (Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft), Ship 2
Object
Bell 47B
Object
Autogiro Company of America AC-35
Object
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Korea and Vietnam Aviation
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
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