US Army Black Hawks receive new filtration system
Donaldson Aerospace & Defense has begun deliveries of the next-generation filtration solution for the US Army’s H-60 Black Hawk helicopter engines. The dry media filtration system will provide 99 percent particle separation for the Black Hawk’s Inlet Barrier Filtration (IBF) systems.
Donaldson developed the non-woven dry media solution in response to an army request. Based on the company’s proprietary nano-fiber technology, the solution will protect engines on the Black Hawk fleet from contamination, performance degradation and failure.
The technology replaces woven oil-coated filtration media with a dry media solution which is easier to maintain than the oil-coated type and can be cleaned using basic techniques – helping to reduce maintenance and support requirements in the field.
Eric Erickson, general manager, Donaldson Aerospace & Defense St. Louis division, said: ‘Since its formation 30 years ago this month, [US] Army Aviation has consistently made the most of available technology to bring support and protection to the warfighter. As the army’s primary rotorcraft filtration supplier, Donaldson is proud to continue our tradition of helping army aircrews perform those critical missions safely and reliably.’
Donaldson is the first manufacturer to offer dry media filtration for helicopter engines. The company has delivered more than 600 IBF systems for US Army Black Hawk helicopters, and its IBF systems are also standard on army special operations Boeing MH/AH-6 Little Birds and Bell OH-58D/F Kiowa Warriors, and Donaldson recently delivered 75 additional OH-58 kits. The company also has been selected by Pratt & Whitney AeroPower to provide factory-installed filtration solutions for H-60 auxiliary power units.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
