SOF Rotary Wing Aviation
Abstract
This project develops/upgrades SOF rotary wing aircraft systems that operate in increasingly hostile environments. Rotary wing aircraft supported by this project include: MH-60L/M, MH-47G, and A/MH-6M. These aircraft provide aviation support to SOF in worldwide contingency operations and low-intensity conflicts, and they must be capable of rapid deployment; undetected penetration of hostile areas; and operating at extended ranges under adverse weather conditions to infiltrate, provide logistics for, reinforce, and extract SOF. The threat is characterized by an extensive and sophisticated ground based air defense system and an upgraded air-to-air capability targeted against helicopters. Sub-projects include: • A/MH-6M Block 3.0 Upgrade includes development of an integrated digital moving map, upgraded multifunctional displays, improved communication/navigation suites, lightweight mission processor, structural upgrades, and next generation main/tail rotor systems. This upgrade modification will increase safety margins and increase operational capabilities at higher altitude and temperature conditions. This program is a new start for FY 2012. • The A/MH-6 Improved Seat system will provide a crashworthy ballistic protection, crash attenuation, and restraint system upgrades to prevent severe injury to Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) pilots. The Center for Army Lessons Learned reported that over a three year period, 50 ARSOA pilots suffered serious back injuries and were grounded due to hard landings. • Hostile Fire Indicating System (HFIS) detects, classifies, and alerts the aircrew to the presence of small caliber weapons fire for SOF MH-47/60 platforms. By providing detection and angle of arrival information, the HFIS will allow the aircrew to perform evasive and counter-fire actions significantly increasing the aircraft's probability of survival. • The MH-47 Engine Automatic Re-Light (EARL) system will detect the presence of an impending or an in-progress engine flameout event and re-establish combustion within the engine to avoid an actual engine flameout. EARL will recognize the event much faster than a pilot and then proceed to reignite/restart the engine while monitoring and adjusting engine parameters including the ignition system and fuel flow scheduling. EARL is required to address safety issues in the MH-47 fleet where engine flameout has been cited as one of the probable causes of the loss of an MH-47G with loss of life in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This program is a new start for FY 2012. • MH-47 Low Cost Modifications program is an effort to integrate an improved Common Rotor Blade (CRB) being developed by the Army into the MH-47G. This program is a new start for FY 2012. • MH-60 SOF Modernization program provides for the systems engineering and platform integration efforts, to include continued flight and qualification testing and test support. • Next Generation Forward Looking Infrared Radar (NGFLIR) develops and qualifies a laser rangefinder/designator (LRF/D) for the AN/ZSQ-3 Electro Optical Sighting System (EOSS). • Reduced Optical Signature Emission Solution (ROSES) program reduces the optical signature output of the current infrared expendable decoys for purposes of reducing ARSOA aircraft vulnerabilities. This flare solution will have the capability to decoy currently fielded infrared missiles and more sophisticated emerging threats, and is an interim solution pending flare technology advancements. • The YMQ-18A Cargo Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) will develop a cargo resupply modification. This effort will be transferred to the U.S. Navy in support of U.S. Marine forces cargo resupply efforts. • Aircraft Occupant Ballistic Protection System (AOBPS) Multiple Hit Transparent Armor effort develops and operationally assesses the lightweight armor on the MH-47 and MH-60 platforms. These components replace panels and windows to increase aircrew and passenger safety and survivability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- D615_1160482BB_7_0400_PB_2012
Related Documents
- Root: SOF Rotary Wing Aviation
- Child Accomplishment: A/MH-6M Block 3.0 Upgrade
- Child Accomplishment: A/MH-6 Improved Seat System
- Child Accomplishment: Hostile Fire Indicating System (HFIS)
- Child Accomplishment: MH-47 Engine Automatic Re-Light (EARL)
- Child Accomplishment: MH-47 Low Cost Modifications
- Child Accomplishment: MH-60 SOF Modernization Program
- Child Accomplishment: Next Generation FLIR
- Child Accomplishment: Reduced Optical Signature Emissions Solution (ROSES)
- Child Accomplishment: YMQ-18A Cargo UAS
- Child Accomplishment: Aircraft Occupant Ballistic Protection System (AOBPS) Multiple Hit Transparent Armor
- Child Cost Item: fe8ac712e0de98eceefda5f48034273e
- Child Cost Item: a6d0d8de80453fbf989cc9ebdc43ca12
- Child Cost Item: 6bed5ecb66d975cee27a5a8b914e7227
- Child Cost Item: 0b92f7e3b73a4f2b7a92bfb0a305d688
- Child Cost Item: d16f7729be43c7570ee0f02643a3a59f
- Child Cost Item: 3f29c4e8305610c8a6e27d7c6731f0a0
- Child Cost Item: 498d928498434d47b3f2385d68bf2501
- Child Cost Item: 1843f5c2871286f7b39239baae48478c
- Child Cost Item: 74cd13b440dfd30fe11716e6946cb6d1
- Child Cost Item: bb4889907315e56cadfe245988f0f34d
- Child Cost Item: 9255affc5378a14945fa202255db775b