Let's Stop Here And Check This Out

Can you feel that? Pilots flying an AH-1Z Super Cobra attack helicopter felt a vibration in the cyclic and decided to make a landing on a dirt road near Leonardtown, MA. It was about ten in the morning Friday when they elected to descend and check out the situation from the ground.

The pilots "did the right thing" according to the H-1 Public Affairs Officer, John Milliman, in an interview with ANN. "Most flight test programs experience minor challenges along the way. This landing was purely precautionary."

The landing caused no injuries or damage. Telemetry from the mission is being analyzed and the helicopter is being inspected to find the source of the vibration. Assuming the porblem is found and corrected, Engineering and Manufacturing Development testing will soon come to an end. Operational evaluation flights of the helicopter will occur later this year.

The AH-1Z program is a major upgrade over older AH-1W helicopters currently in the Marine Fleet. The AH-1Z can carry more, fly farther and faster than the choppers they're scheduled to replace. The four bladed composite rotors and composite rotor head help to enhance the performance and survivability of the aircraft. It also enables maneuvers that were not possible with the typical two-bladed rotor system.

The improvements are not just skin deep. A stronger transmission and drive train help the aircraft to use more of the power from those twin turbine engines. It has advanced avionics, better seats, and can carry more armament and fuel.

Similar improvements are underway as the Marines upgrade their utility version of the Huey, UH-1Ns to UH-1Ys. It will also have enhanced range, payload and survivability to fulfill its combat support roles.

FMI: http://pma276public.navair.navy.mil/pma276public/default.asp