Flight Test Execution and Data Reduction Techniques of Exhaust Gas Reingestion on the CH-53K King Stallion

摘要

Developmental flight testing on the United States Marine Corps (USMC) CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift program identified significant engine integration technical challenges including Exhaust Gas Reingestion (EGR), engine compartment cooling and engine exhaust impingement on the fuselage. These challenges limited the mission envelope and threatened to delay the CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter program. Immediate resolution of these issues was required for the USMC to proceed with the planned deployment of CH-53K. The CH-53K all digital design, advanced computer modeling techniques, rapid prototyping and flight test data reduction methodologies were brought together by the U.S. Navy and Industry team to solve these problems and progress the program. This paper will cover multiple facets of the CH-53K flight testing conducted to investigate and characterize these complex, interrelated issues and then used to demonstrate the robustness of the selected design after parts were delivered to the flight vehicle. This paper will discuss the up-instrumentation effort required during flight test. It will also cover the subsequent data reduction, analysis, and visualization techniques implemented to understand and illustrate flight test results and accurately characterize Exhaust Gas Reingestion.