H-1 Improvements
Abstract
The objective of H-1 Improvements is to provide follow-on Research, Development, Test and Evaluation efforts in support of all H-1 aircraft. Air Vehicle and Engine improvements include Analysis of structural data to formulate Damage Limits and Tolerances for structural components in order to reduce life cycle costs and maintenance workload; development and test of structural components. These improvements include tail boom, fuselage, and airframe components, minimizing excessive and premature wear, increased reliability, decreased component fatigue and improve existing design deficiencies. Air Vehicle will develop solutions to support compartments containing avionics equipment; development and testing of aircrew and flight safety systems and storage systems; develop an auxiliary fuel cell capability and Rotocraft Station Control Unit (RSCU) Software development. RSCU efforts will include software development, testing, cybersecurity, and acquisition of test assets. Improvements to address hazard reports against air vehicle and engine platform systems which may include structural performance, engine and rotor systems performance, aircrew and flight safety system performance, electrical systems performance, and fuel system performance. All air vehicle and engine improvements include related Software Configuration Set (SCS) development updates and address hazard reports including software, test assets, cybersecurity, and testing. Avionics improvements target digital inter-operability, integrated avionics, safety and survivability, and situational awareness for both the pilot and aircrew safety. This includes Degraded Visual Environment (DVE), cockpit displays, precision and Global Positioning System (GPS) non-precision landing capability, collision avoidance, improved Embedded Global Positioning System (EGI), Radar Altimeter (RADALT), Inertial Navigation System (INS), Health and Monitoring System Upgrade (HMU), and mission computer. H-1 capability improvements include improved digital operations and transfer of data, digital interoperability, digital video recording, video and data networking, and information integration with aviation combat elements and Marine Air Ground Task Force elements. Mandated capability efforts include - Communications and COMSEC modernization to include Tactical Secure Voice/Second generation Anti-Jam Tactical Ultra-High frequency Radio for NATO (TSV/SATURN), Navigation and Surveillance system/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ ATM), Required Navigation Performance/ Area Navigation (RNP/RNAV), Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), Crash Survivable Flight Incident Recorder and information technology/protection of the platform. Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) allows the H-1 to retain satellite communication capabilities. Efforts include the integration and test of Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) satellite systems. Digital Interoperability (DI), the expansion of DI to include integration of Adaptive Network Wideband Waveform (ANW-2), advanced Flite Scene mapping and mission planning updates shortens the kill chain and improves information and intelligence sharing on the battlefield. DI incorporates a family of systems that includes ANW-2, Advanced Data Transfer System (ADTS), Full Motion Video (FMV), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Small Tactical Terminal (STT), and Cross Domain Solution (CDS). Improvements to address hazard reports against avionic platform systems which may include attitude trim performance, flight control systems performance, communication and navigation systems performance, data link and waveform systems performance, display and recorder systems performance, and aircraft health data system performance. All avionics improvements include related SCS development updates and address hazard reports including software, test assets, cybersecurity, and testing. Sensors, Weapons, Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE), and Helmet Mounted Display System improvements include manufacturing process improvements, hardware and software redesign to improve reliability, improve production methodologies, implement program security initiatives and increase the collective capability to address emerging battlefield threats. These improvements address reliability and obsolescence. The technical interfaces between the aircraft sensor, helmet, and weapons systems require extensive software and hardware upgrades to translate data into sensor fusion based solutions that provide both battlefield and situational awareness to the H-1 platform. The AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight System (TSS) will implement several obsolescence upgrade efforts with improvements to the Cameras as well as adding software driven capabilities such as increased field-of-views and auto-focus. The BRITE Star Block II Target Location Error will be corrected. The Optimized TopOwl (OTO) reliability upgrades will increase reliability and readiness for components that are currently driving high repair costs. Radar and missile warning improvements, including APR-39D(V)2 and the Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasures (DAIRCM), require extensive integration and testing. Funds required for development, test, and integration efforts for Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), AGM-114 Hellfire, Advanced Precision Kill Weapons (APKWS), M299 Launcher improvements, Digital Rocket Launcher (DRL), AIM-9X, AN/ALQ-231 (V) Intrepid Tiger II Electronic Warfare Pod and loitering munitions. Improving and integrating weapon systems and expendables will align with these upgrades to improve the overall accuracy, lethality, and survivability of the H-1 platform. Improvements to address hazard reports against sensors and weapons platform systems which may include helmet and display systems performance, sensor systems performance, and weapon systems performance. All weapon and sensor improvements include related SCS development updates and address hazard reports including software, test assets, cybersecurity, and testing. These improvements will provide considerable growth potential for future weapon systems, air vehicle improvements, software improvements, and avionics upgrades, which will significantly increase mission effectiveness and survivability, while potentially reducing life cycle costs. The efforts will also include integration of onboard mission planning, communications, digital fire control, self-navigation, night navigation/targeting, precision guided munitions, and air-launched intercept missile weapon systems management in nearly identical crew stations, which significantly reduces training requirements. These upgrades maximize commonality between all H-1 Type/Model/Series aircraft and provide needed improvements in crew and passenger reliability, survivability, payload, power available, endurance, range, airspeed, maneuverability and supportability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 3359_0604245M_5_1319_PB_2025
Related Documents
- Root: H-1 UPGRADES
- Child Accomplishment: Weapons and Sensors Testing and Integration
- Child Accomplishment: Air Vehicle and Engines Improvements
- Child Accomplishment: Avionics Improvements
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