PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
Service says solutions are already in pipeline as performance criteria are relaxed
The US Navy has revealed plans to address deficiencies in the Sikorsky MH-60S, highlighted in the recently completed operational evaluation (Opeval) report, through a combination of a revised operational requirement document (ORD) and software upgrades.
"We have to respond to Opeval and work with the operational test force to get an indication of what needs to be resolved. We will take every deficiency they write up and address it," says Capt Bill Shannon, H-60 multi-mission helicopter programme manager.
Opeval concluded the naval utility machine is operationally neither "effective" nor "suitable" (Flight International, 28 May-3 June). The USN says many solutions are already in hand, while a new ORD - which was not ready in time for Opeval - answers some of the machine's performance shortfalls. Rules do not allow forany waivers and the helicopter was evaluated against the key performance parameters (KPP) then in effect.
The more critical "not effective" finding resulted from the MH-60S failing a KPP that stipulated a 2h endurance in the vertical replenishment role. The helicopter demonstrated 1h 51min and the revised ORD sets a 1h 45min KPP target. "If it had been signed in time, the helicopter would have been found effective," says Shannon.
Opeval also marked down the helicopter's availability, but this performance criterion has since been replaced by a new mission- capable measure, which the helicopter complies with or even exceeds, claims the USN. "The other change was to the computer mean reboot time. The old standard for all computers was 30s. We demonstrated 45s, and the requirement has been changed to 90s," adds Shannon.
Suitability deficiencies revolve around clearing the helicopter for operations from more classes of ship in adverse weather. But this has been delayed by operational commitments. Flight software also needs cleaning up to remove nuisance messages.
"There are two software fixes that have been reviewed by Opeval and development testers which they feel are pretty good. One will be released next month and the second in December," says Shannon.
Source: Flight International