The V-22 Vibration, Structural Life, and Engine Diagnostic System, VSLED

The next generation of integrated aircraft health monitoring systems is now under development for the Bell-Boeing V-22 tiltrotor aircraft. Called the vibration, structural life, and engine diagnostic (VSLED) system, it will be instrumental in minimizing operational maintenance costs on this aircraft.

This paper describes the V-22, its avionic interfaces to VSLED, and the advanced concepts used in VSLED to monitor the Allison T406-AD-400 engines. In addition, it summarizes all the other functions of the VSLED monitoring system.

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. is developing and integrating the VSLED system for the V-22; Allison Gas Turbine is supplying the algorithms unique to the engine monitoring function. The hardware and operating system for the VSLED airborne unit are subcontracted to Teledyne Controls of Los Angeles, California.