AH-1Z stores compatibility testing lessons learned

Author

Barrett, Christopher

Author_Institution

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Div., Lusby, MD

fYear

0

fDate

0-0 0

Abstract

The AH-1Z Cobra was a major upgrade of the AH-1W performed under the United States Marine Corps (USMC) H-1 Upgrades Program. Upgrades significant to weapons employment included a new rotor system, new stub-wing weapons stations, countermeasure dispensing system, and upgraded drive-train. These upgrades required testing to evaluate the AH-1Z´s ability to safely employ weapon systems. The objectives of this test were to evaluate the separation characteristics of weapons and stores fired, launched or dispensed from the AH-1Z; measure aircraft structural loads, strains, and vibrations during weapons firing; and use measured flight data to evaluate the effects of weapon firings on engines and drive systems in order to recommend safe store employment envelopes. During the test program, stores compatibility results were encountered which were not expected during test planning, including rocket gas ingestion and unsatisfactory 20-mm ammunition link separation

Keywords

aerospace engines; aircraft testing; helicopters; military aircraft; power transmission (mechanical); weapons; AH-1Z Cobra; United States Marine Corps H-1 Upgrades Program; aircraft structural load; aircraft structural strains; aircraft structural vibrations; ammunition link separation; compatibility testing; countermeasure dispensing system; drivetrain upgrade; rocket gas ingestion; rotor system; stub-wing weapons; weapon systems; weapons firing; Aerospace testing; Aircraft propulsion; Employment; Engines; Missiles; Performance evaluation; Rockets; System testing; Vibration measurement; Weapons;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Aerospace Conference, 2006 IEEE

Conference_Location

Big Sky, MT

Print_ISBN

0-7803-9545-X

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AERO.2006.1656018

Filename

1656018