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Published: 1987

Total Pages: 119

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Preliminary airworthiness flight tests were conducted at West Palm Beach, FL, (elevation 28 feet). Tests totaling 22.4 hours of productive flight time were conducted to determine handling qualities and performance of the UH- 60A in the VOLCANO system configuration at an average mission gross weight of 20,500 pounds and a longitudinal center of gravity at fuselage station 351.0 The handling qualities of the UH-60A with the VOLCANO system, installed were similar to the normal utility UH-60A. Three shortcomings were noted in this configuration: 1) the increased frequency and magnitude of 'tail shake' with the VOLCANO installed; 2) the position error for the ship's airspeed system was increased by approximately 8 knots at higher speeds (120 KCAS) due to the installation of the VOLCANO mine dispensing system; and 3) Stability Augmentation System (SAS) OFF dynamic response, not attributed to the VOLCANO installation, was aperiodic and divergent. The UH-60A helicopter with VOLCANO failed to meet two requirements of the Prime Item Development Specification; however, these noncompliances were not significant. Recommendations were made to incorporate data into the applicable portion of the VOLCANO operator's manual and to conduct additional testing. Keywords: Flight testing; Aerial mine dispensers; Helicopters.