GOVERNMENT RUN TEST OF MODELING CAPABILITY TO PREDICT HELICOPTER ROTOR BLADE DAMAGE The Department of Defense has initiated a project to assess the capabilities of predictive vulnerability modeling. Specifically the evaluation will begin by assessing the vulnerability of helicopter rotor blades in a dynamic state to hits from threat projectiles. The tests will attempt to answer the question: Are current vulnerability models capable of adequately predicting helicopter blade damage? Several fully-operationally surplus AH-1S helicopters will be used in the test. DoD is extending an open invitation to organizations, at no cost to the Government, to make preshot predictions of damage for later comparison to actual test outcomes. In exchange for participation, data gathered from this series of tests - to be conducted at the Naval Air Warfare Center at China Lake, California and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, will be made available to participants. The exchanged information will consist only of non-proprietary data and restricted to helicopter blade damage and overall effects to the helicopter. Participants must provide a synopsis of their model(s), capabilities, running time, degree of automation designed into the model(s) and their experience in related models and vulnerability assessment work - especially physics based modeling. An industry/government kick off meeting will be held June 14, 1996, 0900-1100, at room 1C730, the Pentagon. All interested organizations must notify the DOT&E/LFT&E office NLT June 7, 1996 of their desire to participate and to attend the June 14, 1996 meeting. For further information on this project contact Mr. Tom Julian, DOT&E/LFT&E Office at OSD, telephone (703) 614-3991, FAX (703) 614-3992.

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