Helicopter health system to be tested

Operational testing of a helicopter health monitoring system is scheduled to begin shortly aboard a Sikorsky CH-53E at the US Navy's flight test centre at Patuxent River, Maryland.

The helicopter has been fitted with a BFGoodrich (BFG) Integrated Mechanical Diagnostics Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) for development and operational testing.

The system is expected to reduce operational and support costs and improve readiness and safety. BFG says check flights have verified basic system functions: rotor track and balance; regime recognition; operational usage; engine performance assessment; mechanical diagnostics; vibration procedures and exceedance monitoring.

BFG Aerospace's Aircraft Integrated Systems unit is to retrofit US Navy CH/MH-53Es and Sikorsky SH-60Bs with the HUMS, following operational testing.

Source: Flight International