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. H-1 Improvements include System Configuration Set (SCS) development and testing. SCS involves the integration of the entire set of airborne electronics connected via the 1553 data bus and includes much of the electronic hardware and software described in air vehicle, avionics, and sensors and weapons below. This includes correction of hardware and software deficiencies as identified through test and/or due to obsolescence issues. Air vehicle improvements include analysis of structural data to formulate Damage Limits and Tolerances for structural components to reduce life cycle costs and maintenance workload; and redesign of structural components to minimize excessive and premature wear, increase reliability, and improve existing design deficiencies. Additional air vehicle upgrades include redesign of the aircraft power-generating components (generator, inverters, wiring) to support power requirements for existing and future systems (avionics, sensors and weapons) and to reduce aircraft weight. Avionics improvements target situational awareness and pilot and aircrew safety by integrating Blue Force Tracking. Other improvements include degraded visual environment capability and joint precision landing system incorporation. Critical safety improvements include crash survivable flight incident recorder, collision avoidance, improved Embedded Global Positioning System/inertial navigation system for required navigation performance/area navigation, mission computer, digital operations & transfer systems, targeting sensor systems, digital interoperability networking, integration with aviation combat elements and Marine Air Ground Task Force using digitally aided close air support and streaming video. In addition, the goal is to reduce total ownership cost for H-1 aircraft and related support systems by improving reliability and maintainability in critical flight and avionics systems as well as by implementing fact-of-life obsolescence solutions by incorporating technology and information protection in critical avionics and sensor systems. Sensors and weapons improvements include upgrades to Target Sight System and BRITE Star for hardware and infrared improvement efforts. Additionally, aircraft stores development, integration, and testing efforts including Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, the M299A1 launcher, and Air-launched Intercept Missile on the AH-1Z are included. 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 & survivability, while potentially reducing life cycle costs. The cockpits 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 reduce 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, 2014
• Source ID: 3359_0604245N_5_1319_PB_2014

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering

Technology Areas

• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
• Space