LAMPS Helo Shipboard Tests Completed

November 5, 1971November 26, 2019 admin flight test Flight Test News, FTN, November 1971, SFTE, Society of Flight Test Engineers

This article first appeared in the November 1971 Flight Test News.

The SH-2D helicopter is being procured by the Navy for deployment in the LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) mission aboard the DLG-26 class destroyer (Guided Missile Frigate). The SH-2D service acceptance Shipboard Trials were conducted aboard the USS WAINWRIGHT DLG-28 from 12 to 23 September 1971. The Rotary Wing Branch of Patuxent River’s Flight Test Division conducted the shipboard trials and at the same time conducted tests to establish an operating envelope for the SH-2D helicopter aboard the DLG 26 class destroyer. During the test flights additional data were obtained on the usable operating envelope for the VLA (Visual Landing Aids) on the DLG-2 6 class destroyer. Between flight operations the Naval Air Engineering Center’s REST (A securing and traversing system) equipment was tested to determine if the concept was feasible and determine its problem areas. The objectives of the four programs were obtained.

This article first appeared in the November 1971 Flight Test News.