N093-182 TITLE: Multi Directional Low Airspeed Indicator for Rotary Wing Aircraft

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-299 H-60 Helicopter Program, ACAT 1

OBJECTIVE: Develop a multi directional, accurate, low airspeed indicator for rotary wing aircraft.

DESCRIPTION: Current traditional airspeed indicator systems are one directional (forward speed only) and not very accurate in low speed flight. The MH-60S Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) program needs an accurate multi-directional low airspeed indicator to improve performance in continuous-low-speed missions such as towing mine sensors. Such multi-directional low airspeed indicators of sufficient consistent accuracy for AMCM Towing missions, and capable of reliable integration with existing embedded navigation aids do not exist at this time.

The need to know the accurate helicopter velocity at relatively very low portions of the velocity spectrum enhances the crew situational awareness and significantly reduces pilot workload in critical AMCM towing operations. The ability to provide accurate, consistent, and reliable low airspeed indications to the aircrew and mission systems will significantly enhance low altitude helicopter-over-water missions and ground missions where visual objects are not in the pilot's visual scan for speed reference.

AMCM crew towing operations are difficult to maintain track and control when towing AMCM sensors. Determining wind correctional angles to maintain accurate track in a sweep pattern with strong crosswinds is very challenging and significantly increases pilot workload. Maintaining an accurate ground track when turning upwind to downwind, without visual reference objects at sea, especially at low airspeeds, is an extremely difficult task. An improved low-airspeed indicator, in combination with ground speed indications from onboard Embedded GPS/INS (Global Positioning System/ Inertial Navigation System) EGI navigation systems, could provide the aircrew with additional information for improved tracking over potential mine fields. Other low altitude over-sea, low-airspeed scenario, helicopter missions could benefit as well. AMCM workload issues are complex and any instrumentation improving the situational awareness during mission critical tasks while decreasing the crew work load in a stressful environment is welcomed. A seamless integration of an improved low-airspeed sensor with the air frame and with other navigational aids such as Embedded GPS/INS , and information displayed to the aircrew are desired goals.

PHASE I: Research and develop new concepts and sensors that can accurately determine low multi-directional airspeed in a rotor wash environment. Develop a new combined sensor(s) that can accurately measure low forward, low side drift and low rearward velocities. Research and identify new concepts and methods to provide the air crew with visual, sensual or aural indications of low velocity information. Investigate ways to integrate/install into existing USN helicopter weapons systems with minimal total ownership costs. These concept(s) could include a laboratory demonstrations, simulations, models or demonstrations on a helicopter.

PHASE II: Design, develop and demonstrate an operational prototype of a low speed accurate multi directional airspeed indicator system for rotary aircraft.

PHASE III: Produce a suitable multi-directional airspeed indication system for MH-60S AMCM aircraft production aircraft. Install, test and operationally demonstrate it on the MH-60S AMCM platform. Transition the technology to the fleet.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The commercial aviation industry will benefit from improved airspeed sensors, enhanced flight operations, increased safety, low cost, and multi-directional velocity indicators.

REFERENCES:
1. Rotorcraft Flying Handbook. FAA Manual#H-8083-21. 2000.

2. NATOPS Flight manual Navy Model MH-60S Aircraft

KEYWORDS: low airspeed indicator; pilot-static system; wind drift; AMCM workload; cross wind determination; side drift

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