Naval test bed helicopter completes first project, receives digital avionics suite

Naval aviation's sole helicopter technology test bed recently completed its first technology project -- an evaluation of a traffic collision avoidance system to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions.

Operated by the Naval Aviation Center for Rotorcraft Advancement, the test bed aircraft, a former Marine Corps UH-1N named "T-Rex," conducted a "quick look" qualitative evaluation of the Zaon Portable Collision Avoidance System technology, according to Chris Becker, NACRA flight test director.

"Our over-arching purpose was to assess this particular technology's potential to enhance aircrew situation awareness and minimize the risk of a mid-air collision," he explained.

The next phase for the Zaon technology is expected to include testing with an MV-22 Osprey. T-Rex's next test project will be the Sandel ST3400H - a commercial off-the-shelf ground proximity warning system and helicopter terrain awareness warning system (GPWS/HTAWS).

"The Sandel technology could provide this needed capability to aircraft like the AH-1W Super Cobra cost-effectively and relatively quickly," said Brad Schieferdecker, NACRA associate director for Technology Development. "It's our job to look for good ideas like this."

Super Cobras are scheduled to remain in the active inventory for almost another decade and NACRA was tasked to provide a preliminary assessment of the GPWS/HTAWS technology by the Marine Corps, Schieferdecker explained.

To aid in future testing, Northrop Grumman recently signed a cooperative research and development agreement with the Navy to supply NACRA with a stand-alone digital avionics suite and integration support for T-Rex. The digital avionics suite is half of the system currently installed on the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, and will allow test integration with minimal changes to the systems avionics or the aircraft.

"It will serve as an enabler for economical integration and evaluation of other systems in a representative flight environment," Schieferdecker said. "The system is critical in providing a relevant test environment for T-Rex as all new Naval rotorcraft are being fielded with mission computers and modern "glass" cockpits."

The aircraft is being configured to rapidly execute projects and this capability will enhance its ability to quickly evaluate new technologies, he added. "T-Rex", NACRA's Test Bed for Rapid Warfighter Response and Experimentation, is a risk reduction/rapid test capability centered on a UH-1N Huey configured as a dedicated flying test bed. The aircraft is equipped with modern communications, navigational and survivability equipment, including a 1553 data bus, ARC-210 radios, embedded GPS and an external sensor with in-dash display - all tied into the aircraft's equipment racks (in place of the rear passenger seats) to allow rapid configuration changes and flight clearance approval.

Source: NAVAIR

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