Performance flight tests were conducted on the OH-5A helicopter to determine the compliance with the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) Military Characteristics, to verify the contractual guarantees outlined in the OH-5A helicopter Model Specification and obtain additional data useful to the Selection Board.
Stability and control tests were conducted on the OH-5A helicopter to determine stability and control characteristics throughout the flight envelope. In addition, XM-7 and XM-8 firing tests were conducted to define the aircraft's suitability for use as a weapons platform.
Performance flight tests were conducted on the OH-4A to determine the compliance with the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) Military Characteristics and to Check the contractual guarantees outlined in the OH-4A Model Specification.
Stability and control flight tests were conducted on the OH-4A helicopter to determine the stability and control characteristics throughout the flight envelope for the unarmed (clean) and armed configurations. Ninety-three test flights were conducted for 75:30 hours productive test time. All test data were hand recorded from sensitive instruments or recorded on an oscillograph. The quantitative test results and qualitative pilot's comments indicate that the OH-4A complied with most of the stability and control requirements of MIL-H-8501A.
An engineering flight test of the OH-6A helicopter equipped with the XM-27E1 armament subsystem was conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, California, by the US Army Aviation Test Activity. The objective of the test was to determine what effects the armament subsystem had on the performance and stability and control characteristics as compared with an aircraft without the armament subsystem. The testing consisted of 10.25 productive test hours and was conducted from 2 October 1967 through 24 October 1967. Performance degradation resulted from the drag imposed by the armament subsystem. The specific range at 2400 pounds gross weight decreased by 8 percent. The stability and control characteristics were essentially unchanged by the addition of the armament subsystem. During firing tests, there were no adverse control problems. However, during flight at 12 degrees left sideslip at 105 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), the upper right windshield imploded. The sideslip angle should be limited to 8 degrees or less at 100 KIAS until the cause of the implosion can be determined. Noise level and vibration tests should be conducted during firing with the 'doors off' configuration. The performance data should be incorporated into the operator's manual. (Author).
This report presents the results of an engineering flight test of the UH-1B/540 rotor helicopter equipped with the XM-16, XM-21, or XM-3 armament subsystem in conjunction with the M-5 armament subsystem. The test was conducted by the U.S. Army Aviation Test Activity (USAAVNTA). Overall test objectives were to verify safety of flight, develope data for the operator's manual, and assure that aircraft modifications did not degrade the handling qualities or limit the operational characteristics of the subsystems. Specific objectives were to determine quantitatively the effect of the armament subsystems on stability, control and performance of the aircraft, to determine the rocket launcher jettison characteristics, and to define the usable limits of the flight envelope for safe jettison of the launchers. Testing was conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and at sites in Fort Irwin and Bakersfield, California. A total of 152 flights for a productive flight time of 116.4 hours was flown on aircraft S/N 64-14105 between 13 November 1965 and 5 May 1966. This included 30 jettison flights and 35 firing flights.
The Army Preliminary Evaluation of the UH-1C/XM-30 weapon system was conducted by the U.S. Army Aviation Test Activity at Edwards Air Force Base and Fort Irwin, California. The degradation in level flight performance attributed to the weapon installation was defined and no objectionable flying qualities were encountered during firing or non-firing tests. The armed mission capability of the helicopter was degraded by high levels of stress, vibration, blast, and noise during firing and restrictive limitations were imposed by gun malfunctions and system gross weight. The reliability of the weapon system was poor and should be improved prior to further Army testing.
