Impulse Noise Levels of the UH-60A/L Black Hawk Helicopter Cockpit Air Bag System
Abstract
A Cockpit Airbag System (CABS) is being developed for the UH-60A/L Black Hawk Helicopter. The U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory conducted tests to determine the risks to crewmembers and passengers associated with exposure to high impulse noise levels expected during an inadvertent system deployment. A series of 21 airbag deployment tests were conducted in a static UH-60A helicopter. Peak sound pressure levels ranged from 134 dB to 161 dB. Levels at pilot, copilot, and gunner stations exceeded 140 dB during all 21 deployments. Levels in the passenger compartment exceeded 140 dB during 9 of the 21 deployments. Army policy requires the aircrew in the UH-60 helicopter to wear helmets that provide hearing protection or a combination of helmet and earplugs. Passengers are required to wear protective earplugs or muffs or a combination of muffs and earplugs. This level of hearing protection also meets the requirements for protection against high impulse noise levels created by the deployment of airbags. Therefore, if the required hearing protective devices are worn, the potential of inadvertent deployment of the CABS in the UH-60 helicopter poses no additional risk to the hearing of crew and passengers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA384583
Entities
People
- Barbara A. Murphy
- Elmaree Gordon
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab