MH-60 Full Scale Test Rig Loads Development and Analysis

Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC) is supporting Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in the determination of external airframe loading requirements and test rig design support for an MH-60 full scale fatigue test demonstrator project being conducted in collaboration with the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group (DST Group). The analyses included determination of loads for quasistatic and vibratory flight conditions, sensitivity of the structural response to the loads, displacements at actuators across the MH-60R usage spectrum, and feasibility of driving aircraft vibrations at frequencies lower than those measured in flight - specifically, obtaining vibration levels measured at 17.2 Hz by imposing forces at only 2.15 Hz. The studies also addressed the minimum number and locations of actuators required for static and vibratory loading.