Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, AT&E Contracts, Room 321, Boscombe Down, Salisbury, SP4 OJF, United Kingdom

15 -- HELICOPTER SOL 1/0517/8 DUE 120897 POC David Gale, 01144 1980663387. Possible future requirement for the purchase of a versatile variable stability helicopter (VSH) to fulfill both test pilot training and aeromechanics/flight control research roles. The VHS will be required to: demonstrate to student test pilots a wide variety of aircraft response types and handling qualities; emulate the handling characteristics of conventional single main rotor helicopters to permit study of flight control improvements; facilitate generic handling qualities and pilot workload studies using equivalent system transfer function models. The VSH shall have the following characteristics: rapid and easy flight control reconfiguration by changing low-level application software only; the ability to exploit as far as possible the full flight envelope of the host airframe, including low speed, low height manoeuvres and landing/take-off when in VS mode; the ability to demonstrate aggressive manoeuvres when in VS mode; variable (by software) control force feel; comprehensive safety systems designed to minimize the risks associated with experimental flight control system failures; good reliability, availability and maintainability to support a good utilisation rate; a ground station for application software development and system monitoring. It would be desirable for the VSH to be reconfigurable so that it can be flown normally by either pilot, i.e., with the variable stability features disconnected or bypassed. The VSH is likely to incorporate some or all of the following systems: a safety pilot station allowing full and direct control to be resumed rapidly and at any time and providing tactile feedback and force disconnect; a programmable flight control computer with minimal latency; high-integrity safety cut-outs and monitors to disconnect the research flight control system in the event of a malfunction; a research actuation system capable of emulating all appropriate series and parallel actuator rates and authorities; an advanced human-machine interface to allow easy-in-flight selection of a wide range of configurations; comprehensive instrumentation of aircraft state, control inputs, system, status, etc.; a load monitoring system providing real-time output. The use of a host airframe of a type in UK military service is not necessarily required provided adequate support can be put in place. DERA does not mandate any particular programme structure and the most cost-effective combination of prime contractor, subcontractor(s) and direct DERA participation is sought. Innovative bids will be considered. The contract will include the establishment of a system to support VSH up to 2015. (0323)

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