Helicopter Wire Strike Protection System Qualification Testing

In- flight wire strikes pose a serious threat to low-level helicopter operations. A Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS) consisting of deflectors and cutters offers significant helicopter protection from damage resulting from taut wire strikes in flight. To assess WSPS capabilities/ limitations, structure integrity, and potential effects on the helicopter during the wire impact/deflection/cutting sequence, a full scale testing technique was formulated. This form of qualification testing has been successfully applied to the OH- 58A, UH- 1H, AH- 1S, OH- 6A and UH- 60A helicopters, resulting in production contracts for all aircraft except the UH- 60A which is forthcoming. The WSPS qualification test approach has proven to be a sound approach, which is evidenced by the number of aircraft and lives already saved by the WSPS, even though it has only recently been applied.