Preliminary Airworthiness Evaluation AH-1S Helicopter Equipped with a Garrett Infrared Radiation Suppressor and an AN/ALQ-144 Jammer.

摘要

The tests were conducted to determine the effects of installation of the IRS and the AN/ALQ-144 infrared jammer. There was no apparent effect on power required to hover and only a small increase in power required to maintain level flight. Because of a power-available degradation, however, there was a loss of 220 pounds payload in an out-of-ground-effect hover at 4000 feet, 35 C. Additionally, at 2000 feet, 25 c, and 9300 pounds gross weight, there was a reduction in maximum level flight airspeed of 3.5 knots true airspeed in the clean wing configuration. No degradation in handling qualities was caused by IRS or infrared jammer installation. However, one deficiency and six shortcomings inherent in the basic AH-1S were noted. The nonadjustable ventilation system is a deficiency because it blows dirt and dust into the pilot's eyes during operations from unprepared surfaces.