Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1989

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Aviation Systems

Major Professor

Ralph D. Kimberlin

Committee Members

C. F. Watts, B. R.

Abstract

The defense budget proposed for FY-90 reflects a reduction in the funding levels enjoyed by the Armed Services from 1981 through 1988. In light of these developments, it is useful to assess the needs of each branch of the Armed Services to determine which new weapons procurement programs are vital to their individual arenas. In one such arena the U.S. Navy has requested procurement of 175 SH-60F CV-Helicopters over the next ten years to replace the aging SH-3 Sea King as its primary aircraft carrier based Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) asset. While somewhat antiquated, the SH-3 may still be capable of adequate ASW protection for many years to come. This treatise will discuss deficiencies discovered during flight test of the most current version of the helicopter, the SH-3H, and recommend corrections which will allow the aircraft to continue to be an asset to the Navy throughout the 1990's. Flying qualities and performance testing of the SH-3H was conducted during four flights totalling 6.0 hours at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland in May 1987. Throughout the testing the aircraft was configured for a typical ASW mission. The most serious deficiencies ii discovered were the inadequate out of ground effect (OGE) and in ground effect (IGE) hover performance of the helicopter under sea level, hot day conditions. These deficiencies preclude deployment of the helicopter under other than the most optimum conditions of low density attitude and/or low gross weight, otherwise depriving the Carrier Battle Group of much needed ASW protection. These deficiencies should be corrected as soon as possible. Four significant deficiencies were discovered which should be corrected as soon as practicable and numerous annoying deficiencies were identified which should be avoided in future designs. The current model SH-3H demonstrated very limited potential to provide adequate ASW coverage to the Carrier Battle Group primarily due to the hover performance deficiencies. Correction of these deficiencies through an engine upgrade would make the SH-3H a viable ASW asset through the 1990's and into the next century.

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