Limited Artificial and Natural Icing Tests of the External Stores Support System (ESSS) Installed on a UH-60A Aircraft

摘要

A limited artificial and natural icing evaluation of the production UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter equipped with an External Stores Support System (ESSS) and selected components of a prototype Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS) was conducted to determine the capability to operate safely in a moderate icing environment. Testing was performed by the United States Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity and consisted of 23.6 productive flight hours. The UH-60A helicopter configured with the ESSS can safely operate in icing condition through the moderate level of intensity. The probability of rotating component foreign object damage (FOD), due to impact with shed ice particles, is increased with the installation of the WSPS. The probability of engine FOD, due to ice ingestion, is increased with the installation of the improved airspeed system pitot-static tube support strut fairings or wedges. Three major shortcomings were identified: (1) the large ice accretions on the WSPS components which subsequently shed and cause FOD to the aircraft; (2) the large ice accretions on the forward portion of the improved airspeed system pitot static tube support strut fairings or wedges; as installed with the improved airspeed system fairings or wedges.