Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Sikorsky is designing an airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) version of the US Navy's new CH-60S utility helicopter and has begun modifying a prototype machine to conduct aerial towing demonstrations.
The Navy's prototype YCH-60 helicopter is being fitted with a swivel-tow coupling, mounted to the aft underside of the cabin fuselage. Plans call for the helicopter to be fitted with an internal cable winch to deploy, tow and recover mine-detection sensors and countermeasure systems.
AMCM trials modifications encompass strengthening the CH-60's rear-cabin structure with thicker frames, joining buttline beams and a tow-point fitting. The modification has been designed to tow loads through the water with a hydrodynamic cable tension of up to 2,724kg (6,000lb).
Initial AMCM trials are scheduled to start in August at Stratford, with a series of static-load tests and tethered tows of fixed objects to validate structural strengthening. The demonstration programme in October will move to the Navy's Patuxent River, Maryland, test centre with the first airborne dynamic tow of magnetic pipes.
A planned third phase of testing this year will include carriage, winch deployment and recovery of the AQS-20/X mine detection sonar. The AMCM demonstration, if successful, could lead to wider mine countermeasures applications for the US Navy's CH-60S.
Meanwhile, Sikorsky has rolled out an upgraded HH-60G Pave Hawk for the US Air Force and delivered the first of six new improved S-70A Black Hawks to Colombia for anti-drug operations. The air force is to modify 49 of its 105 HH-60Gs with new communication, navigation and integrated electronic warfare systems.
Source: Flight International
