Aerodynamic optimisation of the blade tip shape allows a reduction in the strength of the shock waves on the advancing blade of a helicopter rotor flying at high speed, thereby decreasing rotor power required and the noise generated.

By solving the fluid mechanics equations, the aerodynamic conditions of real flights are simulated on the computer. They are used to study and optimise various blade geometries.

A parabolic blade tip was thus designed by ONERA and adapted by Eurocopter for the rotors of the Super Puma Mk2, Tiger, NH90 and High Speed Dauphin. The comparison by shock wave visualisation demonstrates the improvement over the traditional geometry.