HANDLING QUALITIES OF THE SH-6OB SEAHAWK™

This paper reviews the handling qualities design of the SH-60B SEAHAWK helicopter. It discusses its evolution from the UH-60A parent aircraft to fulfill the U.S. Navy LAMPS MK III mission objectives. With the basic flying qualities of the BLACK HAWK helicopter well defined as a result of the thorough testing by Sikorsky and the U.S. Army, the major design task was to define the influence of mission equipment and external stores on both trim requirements and inherent stability. This resulted in a high degree of commonality with the BLACK HAWK without sacrificing mission objectives or shipboard operational capability. Results of wind tunnel testing and the impact of the mission equipment on empennage effectiveness is discussed. A description of the significant configuration changes from the BLACK HAWK design is presented. One primary addition is the replacement of the BLACK HAWK serial-processor digital computer with a parallel processor AFCS digital computer oriented towards the LAMPS MK III mission requirements including operations from small surface ships. The key systems, the analog SAS, the digital computer AFCS, and the stabilator control system are described. Results of hydrodynamic stability analyses are presented including the benefits of auxiliary flotation to provide improved egress capability in the event of an emergency water landing. The incorporation of the Recovery Assist, Secure and Traversing System, RAST, to permit shipboard landings and recovery in high sea states is discussed. A discussion is also provided of the release and separation characteristics for the external stores utilized in the LAMPS MK III mission.