A Study Of Helicopter Landing Behavior On Small Ships

The Navy LAMPS (Light Airborne Multipurpose System) mission requires operation of the helicopter from the small landing platform of non-aviation ships in moderately high seas. The problem of landing the helicopter in this environment is explored here in the context of the development and substantiation program for the landing gear of the SH-2F, LAMPS MK-I, helicopter. The discussion covers the dynamic landing analysis program employed, the program of instrumented landings conducted on level and sloped ground, the correlation of analysis and experiment in these landings and the application of the analysis to landings on moving decks. The influence of various parameters peculiar to these landings is shown.