Concern over the effects of High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) on civil and military aircraft has increased over the past ten years. The increase is due to several factors which affect the safe flight of all fixed-wing and rotorcraft.
Previous flight-critical mechanical controls are being replaced by electronic computer-driven controls, manufacturers are increasing the use of composite materials in the fabrication of new aircraft structures, and frequency ranges and output power levels of commercial and military transmitters have significantly increased.
While much HIRF susceptibility information has been collected, the data are proprietary and have not been released.
To address the HIRF concerns and begin development of a releasable HIRF database, the FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ, has implemented a HIRF research program. As part of that program, a HIRF test was performed on a Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter. This paper addresses the purpose, approach, and initial findings of the S-76 HIRF test.