A Satellite Data Link for HUMS Applications

Helicopter Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) have achieved greater acceptance in the user community over the past decade as an effective tool to enhance maintainability, reduce costs, and improve flight safety. As more HUMS are fielded on operational Army and Navy helicopters, operators and maintainers are becoming familiar with the flexibility and efficiencies this relatively new technology offers. This paper presents the architecture and methodology for implementing a new HUMS capability termed the Aircraft Data Terminal (ADT). The ADT provides interactive two-way communications directly with the HUMS for transmitting and querying maintenance and safety data while the helicopter is airborne. The system consists of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) satellite communications equipment integrated with the HUMS and associated ground-based software. The ADT has been installed onboard a Navy SH-60B helicopter for evaluation as part of the Joint Advanced Health and Usage Monitoring System (JAHUMS) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) Program. Integration of this technology into the HUMS is presented along with the test results to date. Various aspects are highlighted including COTS product insertion into an open architecture HUMS, open systems interconnect, up-front systems analysis effort, and rapid integration and test. In addition, various concepts of operation (CONOPS) and operational scenarios using the satellite communication link are discussed to illustrate the potential that this powerful real-time HUMS data communications tool can achieve.