More blades on a helicopter typically allow it to lift more and have a smoother flight. However, fewer blades may help a chopper maneuver better.
The number of blades a helicopter has is very important because it speaks to what the helicopter was designed to do. For example, adding more blades can significantly improve a helicopter’s performance, increasing its lift efficiency and flight stability. That’s because having more blades spreads the workload between all of the helicopter’s wing tips, allowing it to carry higher payloads and have smoother flight. However, having more blades also typically involves a more complicated system and can be more expensive. Additionally, helicopters with more blades are typically less agile than those with fewer.
The Robinson R44 is a light civilian helicopter that uses a two-blade setup for simplicity, as is the Vietnam-era Bell UH-1 Huey, one of the most iconic military helicopters in history. In contrast, military transport helicopters like the CH-53E Super Stallion use seven blades to make carrying massive loads easier. Meanwhile, the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter has four blades designed for stability, balance, and maneuverability.
