Testing emphasis operations on and around an amphibious assault
ship, the Iwo Jima
On June 29 the V-22 Integrated Test Team completed Phase IV of
the Osprey's shipboard suitability testing, the fifth of six at-sea
periods the tiltrotor will go through during the aircraft's
developmental testing. This was the latest in a series of
tests leading to the aircraft's operational evaluation and
subsequent full-rate production decision next year. During
the eight days aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) operating in the
waters off the coast of Maryland, the ITT did much toward proving
the Osprey's capability on and around an amphibious assault
ship.
In the course of shipboard testing in 1999, the V-22
demonstrated a tendency to tilt along its lateral axis when sitting
on the flight deck behind a hovering aircraft - a phenomenon known
as "uncommanded roll on deck." Because the Osprey has a
digital flight control system, engineers are able to reprogram the
flight controls to eliminate undesirable characteristics such as
roll on deck. Previous shipboard suitability phases have
tested the performance of the Osprey behind a hovering H-1, H-46,
and H-53. Phase IVB was designed to test the effect on a V-22
behind a hovering V-22.
"All of our test results with regard to roll on deck were as
good as or better than anticipated," said Lt. Col. Kevin Gross,
USMC, Government Flight Test Director and Chief V-22 Test
Pilot. "The handling of the Osprey in the shipboard
environment is proving to be one of its strong
characteristics."
A series of firsts were accomplished during this test period,
Gross said. Along with the first shipboard interaction tests
of a V-22 in the vicinity of another V-22, it was the first time a
V-22 landed on Spots 5 and 6 - the landing points adjacent to the
ship's island. Additionally, the wind envelope for LHD-class
V-22 operations was expanded - an important element toward a
successful OPEVAL next year.
The Integrated Test Team was offered another challenge when
Osprey No. 22 had a nacelle component failure while hovering over
the flight deck during the final V-22/V-22 interaction tests.
Subsequent landing and shutdown were uneventful, and an
investigation into the malfunction continues.
"Even with a component failure, this was an overwhelmingly
successful detachment," said Col. Craig Olson, USAF, V-22 Program
Manager, who had his first taste of shipboard life during this test
period. "Now I know firsthand that the days at sea are long
ones, and I thank the Integrated Test Team for their work toward
fielding this remarkable capability."