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-60M, 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 is necessary to restore structural, performance, and safety margins for the aircrews. An airframe structural modification will address structural failures due to high intensity, high gross weight operations, and a decade of battle damage. A main/tail rotor drive train and engine control replacement effort will reduce airframe loads and restore sufficient safety and performance margins. An avionics upgrade (NDI/COTS) will replace obsolescent components and provide basic situational awareness. This upgrade is critical to keep a 1960's vintage aircraft in the fight until a suitable replacement aircraft is available, estimated to be in the 2025 timeframe. • Hostile Fire Indicating System (HFIS) detects, classifies, and alerts the aircrew to the presence of small arms and crew served 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) funds incorporated Hostile Fire Indication in the Infrared Spectrum as well as provided sensor fusion of Infrared, Ultra-Violet, and acoustic sensors 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. • MH-47 Low Cost Modifications program develops technologies to improve performance and safety of the MH-47G and decrease operational costs. Efforts include the Active Parallel Actuator System (APAS), Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and Engine Barrier Filter. • Next Generation Forward Looking Infrared (NGFLIR) program procures a laser rangefinder and designator to the ANZSQ-3. The program also procures and installs the Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) drop-in, advanced dual color (long and mid-wave) IR detector upgrade for the ANZSQ-2 NGFLIR on the light and heavy assault platforms within the Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) fleet. • MH-60 SOF Modernization program provides for the systems engineering and platform integration efforts, to include continued flight and qualification testing and test support. • Reduced Optical Signature Emissions Solution (ROSES) program provides reduced optical signature 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. • 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 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 begin software development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2014
- Source ID
- D615_1160482BB_7_0400_PB_2014
Related Documents
- Root: SOF Rotary Wing Aviation
- Child Accomplishment: A/MH-6M Block 3.0 Upgrade
- 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: Next Generation FLIR
- Child Accomplishment: MH-60 SOF Modernization Program
- Child Accomplishment: Reduced Optical Signature Emissions Solution (ROSES)
- Child Accomplishment: Degraded Visual Environment (DVE)
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