The US Navy claims to have developed solutions for many of the avionics and sensor integration problems that have affected the Lockheed Martin-led modernisation of the Sikorsky SH-60R combat helicopter. These will force a rescheduling of development, operational testing and the start of full rate production.

"The test schedule when it was laid down didn't recognise the number of new systems and I don't think it allowed enough evaluation to accommodate the complexity. We have requested and received additional time," says Capt Bill Shannon, USN multi-mission helicopter programme manager.

Problems have focused on the SH-60R/CH-60S common replacement cockpit functionality, fidelity of improved communication and global navigation systems and the integration of a new multirole mission suite. Full rate production approvals for the CH-60S utility and SH-60R combat helicopters has slipped by up to a year to late 2001 and 2004 respectively.

"We've had some issues with the prime contractors and taken an in-depth look at their capabilities. We're now making progress, but we've been delayed," acknowledges Shannon. Extra funding is being sought to extend testing and for an additional (the fourth) buy of 12 low rate initial production SH-60Rs in fiscal year 2003.

Lockheed Martin has refined the cockpit design - particularly the situation awareness display - which is now in flight test. The avionics suite should have been completed in time for the first SH-60R flight in late 1999. The delay has impacted the CH-60S, which should have completed operational testing ahead of a planned production decision in March.

Fixes are also in place to improve the reliability of the SH-60R's digital communications and better align its GPS and inertial positioning systems for hover coupling. Flight testing is also underway of the long range and inverse synthetic aperture modes on the SH-60R's Telephonics APS-147 radar, which had been suffering from overland target clutter problems while tracking in coastal areas.

Flight testing of the radar's remaining coastal mapping, navigation/weather and periscope detection modes should start by May. Integration work will start in February to equip a SH-60R test machine with the new Lockheed Martin ALQ-210 electronic support measures and acoustic processor, which have just completed bench testing.

Source: Flight International