YCH-60 airborne mine countermeasures proof of concept demonstration

The investigation of transitioning the Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) mission to the H-60 helicopter platform required the demonstration of the capability to tow water-borne weapon systems from a YCH-60 prototype aircraft. Naval Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron (NRWATS) was tasked to conduct a multi-phased test during the concept demonstration. The purpose of the Phase I and II testing was to investigate the YCH-60 aircraft capability to conduct the AMCM tow mission under dynamic conditions. Specifically, the test was designed to evaluate aircraft performance and handling qualities, to evaluate adequacy of structural towing provisions, to evaluate design tow speeds and tensions, and to collect usage spectrum data. Flight tests were conducted during a joint Navy and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation flight test from 17 November 1999 to 17 January 2000. This paper addresses the results and evaluations of Phases I and II.