Fatigue Test of the Apache AH-64 Airframe

A fatigue test program of the AH-64 Apache Static Test Airframe is described. In place of the complete airframe being subjected to a spectrum of flight maneuver test conditions, a series of component airframe tests were performed. S-N and spectrum fatigue test data were obtained on selected air­frame components, the airframe structure adjacent to these components, and the attachments joining the components to the structure. This series of air­fra,ne component tests demonstrated compliance with acceptance limits of acquiring sufficient S-N data to define S-N curves and block spectrum testing to substantiate design fatigue life capability. Of noteworthy interest is that prior to this test program, this airframe was subjected to static limit and ultimate flight and landing load conditions.