COMPONENT VIBRATION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RAH-66 COMANCHE HELICOPTER

A vibration qualification document has been prepared to define the component qualification requirements for the RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter. It was prepared using the requirements of Army Specification ADS-27 (Reference 1). The excitation frequencies and vibration amplitudes defined therein can be used by manufacturers to design components that will withstand the expected vibration environment in the Comanche. Historically vibration qualification test levels and test limes were not defined for specific zones in the aircraft and did not consider the design life requirements of the component. Determination of the qualification test times was arbitrary and not based on a rigorous methodology. The Boeing Sikorsky qualification document eliminates these ambiguities and provides all vendors with a consistent set of requirements. This paper provides a brief history of vibration test requirements, details of the RAH-66 qualification document, and the methodology used to develop the rotor, gunfire, and missile launch induced vibrations.