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. • The A/MH-6 Improved Seat system will provide a crash-worthy 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 Helicopter Survivability Task Force (HSTF) additional funds will incorporate Hostile Fire Indication in the Infrared Spectrum as well as providing sensor fusion of Infrared, Ultra-Violet, and acoustic sensors in order to reduce false alarms and increase probability of detection. • The MH-47 Engine Automatic Re-Light (EARL) system will detect the presence of an impending or an in-progress engine flame-out event and re-establish combustion within the engine to avoid an actual engine flame-out. 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 flame-out 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. • 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. • 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 Emissions Solution (ROSES) program reduces the optical signature output of the current infrared expendable decoys for purposes of reducing Army Special Operations Aviation (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. • Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) Solution will fuse information from currently fielded aircraft sensors with emerging technology to display real-time reference points, obstacles, and landing zone information to the aviator. The DVE solution will provide MH-47/60/6 aircrews with visual cues for obstacle avoidance and aircraft control during all phases of flight and significantly increase crew and passenger survivability in DVE such as dirt and snow. Additional funding is provided to enhance the maturity of the rotor-craft and begin software development. • Aircraft Occupant Ballistic Protection System (AOBPS) is a follow-on procurement for ship-sets of Multiple Impact Transparent Armor System (MITAS) panels that were developed with Helicopter Survivability Task Force (HSTF) FY 2010 RDT&E funds. These components will replace panels and windows to increase aircrew and passenger safety and survivability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Source ID
- D615_1160482BB_7_0400_PB_2013
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: Degraded Visual Environment (DVE)
- Child Accomplishment: Aircraft Occupant Ballistic Protection System (AOBPS)
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