Rotor Torque

Us Border Patrol to Get T800 Powered Uh-1Hs

The US’s Immigration and Naturalisation Service Border Patrol is to get five UH-1H Iroquois powered by the LHTEC T800 turboshaft which is being developed for the RAH-66 Comanche. The Iroquois will be powered by an initial 1400shp (1045kW) version of the T800, which compared with the UH-1H’s current, similarly rated Lycoming T53, should use about 40% less fuel. The T800 also weighs about 45kg (100lb) less than the T53, and has a 6000 hour design life (with on condition maintenance), compared with the T53’s 1500 hour time between overhaul. The US Army is providing the re-engined helicopters to the Border Patrol at negligible cost, in return for T800 in-service operational data. The T800 UH-1H re-engine has been engineered by Global Helicopter Technology, and the US Army has already re-engined four UH-1Hs. The re-engined aircraft have also been fitted with weather radar, a turret mounted infrared camera, searchlight, siren, loudspeaker, police radios and GPS. The US Army has been flight testing the upgrade since February.

British Attack Helo Decision Nears

Final negotiations have been taking place for the British Army’s hotly contested attack helicopter programme, the decision on which is due during the course of this issue. British Aerospace, which is teamed with Eurocopter in offering the Tiger, has approached rival Westland, who is teamed with McDonnell Douglas on offering the AH-64, about the possibility of Westland performing Tiger final assembly work should BAe/Eurocopter win the contract. BAe is heavily pushing the British content in the Tiger – the MTU/Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca MTR 390 turboshafts, and the Trigat anti tank missile, on which Britain has been a development partner. The latest move to offer Westland final assembly of the Tiger is seen as a ploy to negate any ‘Westland factor’ influencing the UK MoD’s decision. Meanwhile, the US Marine Corp has postponed a decision on a cockpit upgrade and four blade main rotors for its AH-1W Super Cobra fleet pending, it is speculated, the UK’s attack helicopter decision. Preliminary discussions between the US and UK have taken place regarding making the cockpit/four blade main rotor upgrade a joint programme, should the UK choose the AH-1W – offered by GEC and Bell as the Cobra Venom. Meanwhile Westland and McDonnell Douglas have been looking at establishing a European support centre for the Apache, should it win the British Army programme. The centre would most likely be based in the UK, and would be used to support British, Dutch, Greek, and European based US Army Apaches. The decision for the 90 plus attack helicopters (to replace Westland Lynx Mk 7) is due to be announced in July.

Parramatta Heliport Open

After a decade of hurdles, Sydney Helicopter Service’s new heliport at Sydney’s Granville Speedway, in Parramatta was opened recently. The new facility features four helipads (two of which have fuel), a hangar and office complex. The heliport is open for public use, with ample space for visiting aircraft, with passenger movements permissible through prior arrangement. Those wanting to fly into the heliport should contact Sydney Helicopter Service on (02) 637 4455. The ADF now has a limited medium lift helicopter capability, following the arrival of the first two of four rebuilt Boeing CH-47D Chinooks for the Army in late May (refer text for details). A15-102 is pictured here at Mackay, on transit to its new home at Townsville with 5 Aviation Regiment’s C Squadron. (Alf Dunbar)

Dsto Licences Vibration Analysis Software

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (Defence’s R&D arm) has licensed production of transmission monitoring software to US company Chadwick-Helmuth. The DSTO developed technology was developed to detect specific faults in helicopter transmissions by monitoring vibrations in gearboxes and other transmission components. The software is aimed at the early detection of faults and provides significant benefits, particularly in terms of increased safety and extension of time between gearbox overhaul. The DSTO’s Airframe and Engines Divisions has spent over 10 years on an R&D programme to develop the software techniques, which detect specific faults by analysing their vibration signatures. Dr Peter Preston, head of the Airframes and Engines Division, said that the agreement “promises to see DSTO vibration technology become available to operators worldwide, including the ADF, in affordable onboard systems.”

Book Review – One Man’s Dream

Regular readers of this column may recall Dr Bill Richards who in October last year became the first person to fly solo around Australia in a helicopter. One Man’s Dream is his account on his record breaking trip, and also his efforts to learn to fly, his early cross country navigation flights and planning of the trip. One Man’s Dream makes very interesting reading, not only about the circumnavigation of Australia itself, but also the trials and tribulations Bill had in fulfilling a childhood dream in learning to fly. It is also an interesting look into some of the personalities of the outback, and a reminder of how large and unforgiving Australia is. One Man’s Dream is available from W Richards, PO Box 503, Milsons Point 2061, for $23.50 including postage.

Briefs

Part of the Royal Air Force’s recent order for 14 additional HC.2 (CH-47D) Chinooks is believed to be for between seven and nine special mission variants similar to the US Army’s MH-47E standard, which is equipped with an EFIS flight deck, FLIR, GPS, missile warning receiver and countermeasures, and an in-flight refuelling probe. Some RAF Chinook HC.2s currently in service are used for special missions.

Boeing’s Heliwing VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flew for the first time on April 26.

The crash of an EH 101 development aircraft in early April is believed to have been caused by the tail rotor moving to full pitch uncommanded, causing the helicopter to yaw and go out of control. An official report on the crash though is yet to be released.

Rostvertol is to convert an unspecified number of Russian Army Mil Mi-24 ‘Hinds’ to a civil security mission for the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. A prototype conversion has already flown, with the aircraft’s armour and armament removed, and new communications equipment, a loudspeaker and searchlight fitted, while the undercarriage was fixed. The cabin was converted to carry a special weapons and tactics team. The aircraft would be used by police forces, while the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has also shown an interest in modified Hinds.

The US Army has begun qualification flight testing of the Texas Instruments AN/APQ-174B terrain following radar for the special missions Sikorsky MH-60K and Boeing MH-47E helicopters. The tests are due to be completed by the end of the year. The APQ-174’s ground mapping and air-to-ground ranging functions are not yet ready for qualification.

McDonnell Douglas has accelerated development of the MD 600N to achieve certification in the third quarter of 1996. The company already has firm orders for all of 1996’s production of the MD 600N.

Rotorway International, the manufacturers of the Exec kit helicopter, has teamed up with Green Tree Financial Corporation to offer finance packages for retail customers of the Exec 162F kit helicopter.