Level Flight Performance Evaluation of the UH-60A Helicopter with the Production External Stores Support System and Ferry Tanks Installed

摘要

Limited level flight performance testing was conducted on a sixth year production UH-60A helicopter equipped with a production external stores support system (EESS) and four preproduction external fuel tanks. These tests were conducted to provide the US Army Aviation Systems Command with level flight power required data to determine if the UH-60A would still meet the self deployment requirement described in the Material Need Document if the General Electric T700-GE-701's. Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United Technologies Corporation claimed a drag reduction for the production ESSS over the prototype previously tested. A total of 13.9 productive flight hours were flown at Edwards AFB, and Bakersfield, California between 28 May and 19 June 1986. The installation of the production ESSS and four external fuel tanks increased the drag of the normal utility configured UH-60A by approximately 4.5 square feet of equivalent flat plate area. This represents a drag reduction of approximately 4.5 square feet for the production ESSS from the prototype ESSS previously tested. The takeoff characteristics were similar to a normal utility configured UH-60A and remain a shortcoming. Ground taxi characteristics of the UH-60A at gross weights above 23,000 pounds at a forward center of gravity were unusual in that precise flight control positioning, concentrated pilot effort and high workload was required during these operations. The ground taxi characteristics are a shortcoming, however, they are adequate for the self-deployment mission.