Mon, Oct 05, 2015
Includes Design, Fabrication, And Installation Of Multiple Systems At Naval Test Pilot School
The U.S. Navy has awarded a $1.57M contract to Calspan Aerospace to provide a next-generation Variable Stability System (VSS) for a U.S. Naval Test Pilot School UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter. The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) trains engineering test pilots, flight test officers, and flight test engineers to conduct test and evaluation at the Aircraft Division of the Naval Air Warfare Center. Graduating students use this expertise to work on aircraft and weapons systems, conduct flight tests and manage the introduction of new assets to the fleet.
The project involves the design, fabrication, and installation of a sensor suite, fly-by-wire VSS computer system, pilot and aircraft interfaces, safety trip and data recording systems on the UH-60L Blackhawk Helicopter. The modified aircraft will be used to expose students at the school to a myriad of helicopter handling quality characteristics, bringing classroom academics to life using a single airframe. The project is set to be conducted over the next six months at the Calspan Aerospace headquarters in Niagara Falls, NY.
The helicopter will become the third-generation variable stability H-60 to be used in the school's training programs and the latest in a long line of variable stability fixed and rotary wing aircraft that Calspan has modified and operated over the last 70 years. "We are excited to begin this next project with USNTPS, who Calspan has had a long-standing relationship with, and to help create the best learning environment for future Test Pilot School graduates," said Calspan CEO and Test Pilot, Lou Knotts.
Calspan Aerospace operates its flight research and testing business at the Niagara Falls International Airport, in an 80,000 sq. ft. facility, which the company built in 2005. Calspan operates a fleet of 8 airborne testbeds which are utilized for research, development, test and evaluation work as well as test pilot school training. Customers include both domestic and international government and commercial companies.
(Image provided with Calspan Aerospace news release)
More News
"Aero-News has been working with SUN n FUN as their media partner for the better part of a decade and gotten to know their crew quite well... but this cooperative undertaking has p>[...]
Inner-Approach OFZ The inner-approach OFZ is a defined volume of airspace centered on the approach area. The inner-approach OFZ applies only to runways with an approach lighting sy>[...]
From 2017 (YouTube Edition): Pilots Competed For $10,000 For A First Place Finish… Drone Racing came to the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo in January, with pilots competing for>[...]
On-Course Indication An indication on an instrument, which provides the pilot a visual means of determining that the aircraft is located on the centerline of a given navigational t>[...]
Also: AIR Loses eVTOL Demonstrator, USCG Getting New Helos, Freighter Fleet To Grow, US Army Falls Behind Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, in partnership with NASA, successfully comple>[...]
Aero-News: Quote of the Day (11.02.25)
See All