Automated Vibration Management Program for the UH60 Blackhawk

The US Army has initiated a study program to evaluate the feasibility and cost savings associated with vibration management using the UH60 Blackhawk as proof of principal. This two year study program is known as the Vibration Management Enhancement Program (VMEP), Nineteen aircraft are instrumented with an array of accelerometers and tachometers. The data acquisition system uses an enhanced Aviation Vibration Analyzer (AVA) for monitoring the engines, gearboxes, driveshafts, and bearings. The VMEP system incorporates a new PC Ground Station for data storage, display, trending, and analysis. State-of-the-art signal processing algorithms are used to enhance fault signatures and detection sensitivity. A data driven expert system is used with automated fault trees on the PC Ground Station for diagnostic fault recommendations.