Flying qualities and performance evaluation of the SH-60B helicopter

The United States Navy currently utilizes the SH-60B helicopter for conduct of the antisubmarine warfare/anti-ship surveillance and targeting (ASW/ASST) mission. A limited scope flying qualities and performance evaluation of the SH-60B helicopter was conducted to verify mission suitability prior to additional procurements of the aircraft. Testing was accomplished during two ground assessments totaling 7.0 hr and four flights totaling 6.0 hr. During all performance tests the aircraft was loaded with an inert MK-46 torpedo mounted on the left side of the fuselage. During forward flight and low airspeed flying qualities tests the aircraft was operated in a clean configuration. A limited mission systems evaluation was also conducted with the aircraft in the clean configuration. The radar altimeter (RADALT) hold feature of the SH-60B automatic flight control system (AFCS) proved safe and accurate during low altitude maneuvering. Since a significant portion of the SH-60B mission profile could be performed at night or in adverse weather conditions, the feature was determined to be an enhancing characteristic which should be incorporated in future designs. Flight testing revealed severe transient droop characteristics of the main rotor system during rapid engine torque increases. As a result, the aircraft will be susceptible to impact with the ship or the water in the event of a ship landing wave off. During automated hover operations the AFCS heading hold feature exhibited oscillatory divergent yaw characteristics which will result in loss of aircraft control during shipboard recovery, thereby endangering the aircraft and crew. These are Part I deficiencies which must be corrected as soon as possible. Restricted cockpit field of view will require significant pilot compensation when performing high workload tasks (i.e. takeoffs and landings) near the ship. This and six other Part II deficiencies should be corrected as soon as practicable. Testing also revealed four Part III deficiencies which are either too impractical or too costly to be corrected in this model, but which should be avoided in future designs. Within the scope of this test, the SH-60B helicopter demonstrated excellent potential for the ASW/ASST mission and will be deemed satisfactory upon correction of the Part I deficiencies.