Press Release 12.30€¦ · Title: Press Release 12.30.2018 Created Date: 20190252257
Raider TSTB Light-Off Press Release
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S-97 RAIDER™ Conducts Transmission System Test Bed Light-Off The S-97 RAIDER™ helicopter team successfully completed the transmission system test bed (TSTB) light-off on Wednesday, July 8, at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, signifying another significant achievement in the RAIDER program’s development process. “This represents a significant milestone for the program,” said Senior Program Manager for the S-97 RAIDER program Mark Hammond. “The TSTB light-off allows the RAIDER™ team to begin endurance testing on the drive system components, positioning the RAIDER closer to entering the full flight demonstration phase.” Dave Walsh, the Flight Test Technical Fellow, added: “The TSTB is an essential building block in the development of RAIDER™ technology. The TSTB includes a significant instrumentation package and home grown, innovative systems for controlling the propeller, main rotor collective pitch, and the engine.” By testing the drive system at full power, the TSTB light-off readies the aircraft for envelope expansion, which will allow the aircraft to achieve higher flight speeds, a higher load factor, and reach greater altitudes. “Endurance running on the stand validates the entire transmission system both from a safety of flight and a long term life point of view,” said Don Chao, TSTB Test Director. “The TSTB endurance test is key to clearing the aircraft back to flight and into the full flight test program.” In addition to the engine light-off, the program team also launched the shakedown process for the drive system. “During the shakedown phase of the ground runs, the Raider team will perform functional evaluation of the drive system and flight controls system. The shakedown phase will confirm that these systems are operating as planned, enabling the testing to continue to move forward,” said Hammond. Following shakedown, the team will conduct envelope expansion and gear pattern development prior to the endurance runs. The first RAIDER helicopter prototype, which was rolled out to the public in October 2014, had undergone 34 hours of ground testing and successfully completed the one-hour flight test, which occurred on May 22, in West Palm Beach. While in-flight, the S-97 RAIDER completed the basic maneuverability assessment and flight control system evaluation. “The current focus of the S-97 RAIDER development team has now shifted to expanding the flight envelope of the S-97 leading to the demonstration of its
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Press Release Announcing the Transmission System Test Bed Light-off of the S-97 RAIDER.
Transcript of Raider TSTB Light-Off Press Release
S-97 RAIDER™ Conducts Transmission System Test Bed Light-Off
The S-97 RAIDER™ helicopter team successfully completed the transmission system test bed (TSTB) light-off on Wednesday, July 8, at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, signifying another significant achievement in the RAIDER program’s development process.
“This represents a significant milestone for the program,” said Senior Program Manager for the S-97 RAIDER program Mark Hammond. “The TSTB light-off allows the RAIDER™ team to begin endurance testing on the drive system components, positioning the RAIDER closer to entering the full flight demonstration phase.”
Dave Walsh, the Flight Test Technical Fellow, added: “The TSTB is an essential building block in the development of RAIDER™ technology. The TSTB includes a significant instrumentation package and home grown, innovative systems for controlling the propeller, main rotor collective pitch, and the engine.”
By testing the drive system at full power, the TSTB light-off readies the aircraft for envelope expansion, which will allow the aircraft to achieve higher flight speeds, a higher load factor, and reach greater altitudes.
“Endurance running on the stand validates the entire transmission system both from a safety of flight and a long term life point of view,” said Don Chao, TSTB Test Director. “The TSTB endurance test is key to clearing the aircraft back to flight and into the full flight test program.”
In addition to the engine light-off, the program team also launched the shakedown process for the drive system. “During the shakedown phase of the ground runs, the Raider team will perform functional evaluation of the drive system and flight controls system. The shakedown phase will confirm that these systems are operating as planned, enabling the testing to continue to move forward,” said Hammond.
Following shakedown, the team will conduct envelope expansion and gear pattern development prior to the endurance runs.
The first RAIDER helicopter prototype, which was rolled out to the public in October 2014, had undergone 34 hours of ground testing and successfully completed the one-hour flight test, which occurred on May 22, in West Palm Beach. While in-flight, the S-97 RAIDER completed the basic maneuverability assessment and flight control system evaluation.
“The current focus of the S-97 RAIDER development team has now shifted to expanding the flight envelope of the S-97 leading to the demonstration of its key performance parameters in terms of hover, speed, and maneuverability,” said Dave Adams, S-97 Mission System Integration IPT Lead.
The S-97 RAIDER is Sikorsky’s latest application of its X2 Technology™. The RAIDER helicopter is poised to revolutionize next-generation military aviation as a new light tactical rotorcraft designed to outmatch conventional military helicopters in speed, maneuverability, and high altitude operations.
By Tom Korolyshun
