XV-15 SHIPBOARD EVALUATION

The Naval Air Test Center conducted a limited shipboard evaluation of the NASA/Army XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft onboard the USS TRIPOLI to determine the potential of the tilt rotor concept in the Navy shipboard environment. The evaluation consisted of 54 shipboard takeoffs and landings in various relative winds and included some preparatory tests ashore. The tests evaluated were deck edge effects on flying qualities, downwash effects, overwater hovers, short takeoffs (STO's), and various approaches to landing. The paper describes the flight tests, discusses the test results, and makes conclusions based on future tilt rotor missions. Within the scope of the test, the tilt rotor concept exhibits strong potential for use in the Navy shipboard environment.