Sat, Mar 19, 2005
Let's Stop Here And Check This Out
Can you feel that?
Pilots flying an AH-1Z Super Cobra attack helicopter felt a
vibration in the cyclic and decided to make a landing on a dirt
road near Leonardtown, MA. It was about ten in the morning Friday
when they elected to descend and check out the situation from the
ground.
The pilots "did the right thing" according to the H-1 Public
Affairs Officer, John Milliman, in an interview with ANN. "Most
flight test programs experience minor challenges along the way.
This landing was purely precautionary."
The landing caused no injuries or damage. Telemetry from the
mission is being analyzed and the helicopter is being inspected to
find the source of the vibration. Assuming the porblem is found and
corrected, Engineering and Manufacturing Development testing will
soon come to an end. Operational evaluation flights of the
helicopter will occur later this year.
The AH-1Z program is a major upgrade over older AH-1W
helicopters currently in the Marine Fleet. The AH-1Z can carry
more, fly farther and faster than the choppers they're scheduled to
replace. The four bladed composite rotors and composite rotor head
help to enhance the performance and survivability of the aircraft.
It also enables maneuvers that were not possible with the typical
two-bladed rotor system.
The improvements are not just skin deep. A stronger transmission
and drive train help the aircraft to use more of the power from
those twin turbine engines. It has advanced avionics, better seats,
and can carry more armament and fuel.
Similar improvements are underway as the Marines upgrade their
utility version of the Huey, UH-1Ns to UH-1Ys. It will also have
enhanced range, payload and survivability to fulfill its combat
support roles.
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