TCAS Evaluated On UH-1N Helo
Naval aviation’s sole helicopter technology test bed
recently completed its first technology project, according to
information from Naval Air Systems Command. A traffic collision
avoidance system (TCAS) was evaluated in an effort to reduce the
risk of mid-air collisions.
(L-R) NACRA Personnel Dr. Suresh Verma, Chris Becker, Greg
Sauter
Operated by the Naval Aviation Center for Rotorcraft Advancement
(NACRA), the test bed aircraft, a former Marine Corps UH-1N named
“T-Rex,” conducted a “quick look”
qualitative evaluation of the Zaon Portable Collision Avoidance
System technology, according to Chris Becker, NACRA flight test
director. “Our over-arching purpose was to assess this
particular technology’s potential to enhance aircrew
situation awareness and minimize the risk of a mid-air
collision,” he explained. The next phase for the Zaon
technology is expected to include testing with an MV-22 Osprey.
T-Rex’s next test project will be the Sandel ST3400H
– a commercial off-the-shelf ground proximity warning system
and helicopter terrain awareness warning system (GPWS/HTAWS).
“The Sandel technology could provide this needed capability
to aircraft like the AH-1W Super Cobra cost-effectively and
relatively quickly,” said Brad Schieferdecker, NACRA
associate director for Technology Development. “It’s
our job to look for good ideas like this.”
Super Cobras are scheduled to remain in the active inventory for
almost another decade, and NACRA was tasked to provide a
preliminary assessment of the GPWS/HTAWS technology by the Marine
Corps, Schieferdecker explained.
To aid in future testing, Northrop Grumman recently signed a
cooperative research and development agreement with the Navy to
supply NACRA with a stand-alone digital avionics suite and
integration support for T-Rex. The digital avionics suite is half
of the system currently installed on the AH-1Z Viper attack
helicopter, and will allow test integration with minimal changes to
the systems avionics or the aircraft.
“It will serve as an enabler for economical integration
and evaluation of other systems in a representative flight
environment,” Schieferdecker said. “The system is
critical in providing a relevant test environment for T-Rex as all
new Naval rotorcraft are being fielded with mission computers and
modern “glass” cockpits.”
"T-Rex" Landing
The aircraft is being configured to rapidly execute projects and
this capability will enhance its ability to quickly evaluate new
technologies, he added.
“T-Rex”, NACRA’s Test Bed for Rapid Warfighter
Response and Experimentation, is a risk reduction/rapid test
capability centered on a UH-1N Huey configured as a dedicated
flying test bed. The aircraft is equipped with modern
communications, navigational and survivability equipment, including
a 1553 data bus, ARC-210 radios, embedded GPS and an external
sensor with in-dash display – all tied into the
aircraft’s equipment racks (in place of the rear passenger
seats) to allow rapid configuration changes and flight clearance
approval.