T-Rex reports aboard: DoD's sole maritime test bed helo arrives at Pax River

Following a three-day cross-country delivery flight from Camp Pendleton, Calif., a freshly overhauled UH-1N Huey arrived here Friday evening to become the only maritime science and technology test bed helicopter in DoD.

Flown by Maj. Mark “Shrek” Stratton and Capt. Scott “Shady” Shadforth, both test pilots assigned to Rotary Wing Test Squadron 21 here, and Cpl. Robert Depew, crewchief from Marine Corps Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 at Camp Pendleton, the helicopter encountered forest fire smoke on its transcontinental journey, but still managed to make great time.

“The flight encountered dense smoke from forest fires in Arkansas,” explained Chris Becker, flight test director for the Naval Aviation Center for Rotorcraft Advancement (NACRA) -- the new operators of the former Marine Corps aircraft. “But on the final leg, a good tail wind helped them get all the way here from Ft. Smith, Ark. Friday.”

Now based at HX-21, the Test Bed for Rapid Experimentation and Warfighter Support, or “T-Rex,” will undergo test bed modification -- test rack and associated equipment installation -- to fly technology projects for military, industry and academic organizations.

Projects currently in work include installation of a UH-1Y Venom mission computer to enable use of the Control Display Navigational Unit, large multi-function displays and other digital avionics useful for evaluation of new technology.

“We’re using the Huey for several reasons,” Becker said. “We’re keeping flying hour costs down by using a proven fleet helicopter that’s relatively inexpensive to fly and maintain, and the aircraft already has the 1553 data bus installed which makes installation of avionics projects easier.”

Following an assessment of the aircraft’s configuration and installation of test racks and other hardware, the aircraft is scheduled to be ready to start flying projects by June 1.

“Our plate isn’t full yet,” said Brad Schieferdecker, NACRA lead for Technology Development. “Any organization with technology to test or evaluate on a current, fleet-representative aircraft should contact us. We’re specifically interested in technology to enhance digital interoperability, safety and survivability, mission effectiveness or total ownership cost reduction.”
 
Source: NAVAIR