The present invention discloses systems and methods for the performance
enhancement of rotary wing aircraft through reduced torque, noise and
vibration. In one embodiment, a system includes a sail having an
aerodynamic shape positioned proximate to a tip of the rotor blade. An
actuator may be configured to rotate the sail relative to the blade tip.
a A control system receives information from a rotorcraft system and
commands the actuator to rotate the sail to a predetermined favorable
rotor blade operating condition. In another embodiment, a method includes
configuring the rotorcraft in a selected flight condition, communicating
input signals to a control system operable to position sails coupled to
tips of blades of a rotor assembly, processing the input signals
according to a constraint condition to generate sail positional
information, and transferring the sail positional information to the
sail.