Sikorsky opens testing lab for CRH
Sikorsky has inaugurated a new Systems Integration Lab in Stratford, Connecticut, to begin testing key systems for the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) programme.
The 2,500 square foot facility provides a simulated flight environment to test and evaluate aircraft subsystems before the programme progresses to a fully integrated aircraft-representative test configuration. The four on-site laboratories will test avionics, electrical power, electronic flight controls and integrated vehicle diagnostics.
Pilots will be able to fly simulated missions to evaluate qualitative performance, such as pilot workload, in order to identify issues before advancing to test flight.
The US Air Force programme of record calls for 112 helicopters to replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk fleet, which performs combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for all branches of the US military.
The programme’s Training Systems Preliminary design review has already been carried out, clearing the way for detailed design activities for the HH-60W training system to begin.
Sikorsky is working under a $1.2 billion Engineering, Manufacturing and Development contract to develop and integrate aircraft and mission systems - including delivery of four HH-60W helicopters - as well as six aircrew and maintenance training devices and instructional courseware. The training devices run the spectrum from full motion simulators and full aircraft maintenance trainers, to discrete part task trainers for aircraft systems such as avionics, rescue hoist and landing gear.
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