Helicopter Component Environmental Vibration Testing - The Poor Man's Fatigue Test -

Helicopter component environmental vibration testing experience gained during the UTTAS and AAH development programs, various PIP programs, and inventory modernization programs have proven current component vibration qualification test procedures to be deficient in many respects. Specifically, Mil Standard 810 based test procedures lack the realism necessary to develop equipment that is optimized with respect to both weight and function. The 810 based qualification tests do not complement an orderly helicopter component development program. The Systems Development and Qualification Division of AVRADCOM, in conjunction with several manufacturers, has recently developed specific component environmental vibration qualification tests for major pieces of equipment. These tests were derived from the results of preliminary flight testing of these components.