A key component of the Tactical Mission System for a U.S. Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) – the HH-60W – has achieved Technical Readiness Level 6, Lockheed Martin has announced.
The assessment followed a successful demonstration of the AN/APR-52 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), held at the U.S. Air Force Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
For the uninitiated, the AN/APR-52 RWR is an all-digital, four-channel radar warning receiver, designed to process a large number of signals simultaneously and readily identify potential threats.
The Integrated Demonstrations and Applications Laboratory has a role to play here. As a division of the Sensors Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the facility has specialist expertise in the evaluation of electronic warfare technology. Crucially, it provides high fidelity simulations similar to what the system would experience in an actual combat environment.
“Although extensive contractor testing was previously conducted on the AN/APR-52 RWR, the USAF laboratory provides a unique capability that allows high-fidelity demonstration of the system in a true operational environment,” said Bob Adams, Lockheed Martin Electronic Warfare Programs Director. “The successful demonstration is a key milestone to ensure the system will meet the needs of the warfighter. The complete electronic warfare suite will significantly improve detection of current and emerging threats which increases the survivability of the HH-60W.”
With just over one year to go until the very first HH-60W flight test, this recent milestone has given the U.S. Air Force greater assurance as to the technical maturity of the AN/APR-52 RWR.
“The APR-52 represents a significant leap in radar warning performance for rotary wing aircraft,” added Tim Healy, Sikorsky CRH Program Director. “We are excited about its entry into service, and this highly successful demonstration significantly increases the confidence in our schedule.”
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