The Evolution of ADS-33, a Naval Perspective

The Aeronautical Design Standard, “Handling Qualities Requirements for Military Rotorcraft”, ADS-33E-PRF, was developed primarily with land-based Army helicopter requirements in mind. The document defined handling qualities requirements in a new and innovative way as the first frequency-domain rotorcraft specification. The US Navy has expressed an interest in employing frequency-domain specifications in the acquisition of shipboard rotorcraft, heavy lift rotorcraft and unmanned rotorcraft, and has sponsored the development of naval requirements for the next version of ADS-33. Handling qualities guidance to be evaluated include torque margin criteria, automatic flight control modes, and heave axis damping requirements for shipboard launch and recovery, and design criteria for externally slung loads with high load-to-mass ratios. This paper describes how the guidance will be developed from a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research program sponsored by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The paper explores the unique requirements for a maritime, heavy lift, and unmanned rotorcraft handling qualities specification, provides an overview of previous research in the field, documents the program plans and progress so far, and addresses how the specification might be applied to the acquisition of future Navy and Marine Corps rotorcraft. NAVAIR has recently assumed the role of Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) flight certification for new airframes such as the MH-60S, MH-60R, UH-1Y, AH-1Z, and V-22. Mission Task Element development for IMC certification and NAVAIR experience is presented.