RTC bulks up to test more powerful engine

By Carvil Chalk & Kenneth Chenoweth, RTCOctober 17, 2014

Redstone Aviation Propulsion Test and Research Facility at Redstone Test Center
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARESENAL, Ala. (Oct. 17, 2014) -- The Redstone Aviation Propulsion Test and Research facility at Redstone Test Center is bulking up to test a more powerful gas turbine engine.

The facility is comprised of a control center, three test cells for testing helicopter engines and various other dynamic aircraft components, and limited workshop space. The facility's highly-trained technicians and engineers support all of the efforts required to setup, run and inspect a variety of air-breathing turboshaft and turboprop engines as well as auxiliary power units.

Designed to support a variety of air-breathing propulsion tests, RAPTR offers three major test capabilities including: the ground testing of air-breathing turboshaft and turboprop engines; condition-based maintenance studies for low cycle fatigue, seeded fault integration, component testing; and a facility capable of development, acceptance, and checkout for the currently fielded Flexible Engine Diagnostic System.

To operate each of these capabilities, RAPTR test cells utilize Flexible Aviation Laboratory Control Network software to control and manage data acquisition. For example, one application of FALCN is to control test operations in the explosive atmosphere chambers at the RTC Propulsion Test Division. Developed by the Redstone Test Center, the software controls air-breathing aviation related engines, and has been modified to be used for other testing needs inside and outside the RTC.

As part of Redstone Test Center's on-going effort to provide developmental test capability to the warfighter, RAPTR is being upgraded to support the Army's latest helicopter engine, the General Electric YT706-GE-700. This engine was selected by the U.S. Army to power the MH-60M special operations Black Hawk helicopter. The YT706 generates approximately 30 percent more power than the T700-GE-701D used in the UH-60M Black Hawk and is controlled by a full-authority digital engine control. To accommodate the substantial power increase and to leverage the FADEC implementation, the RAPTR facility is being equipped with a specialized dynamometer and the FALCN software is being modified.

These upgrades are being coordinated by Kenny Chenoweth, logistics account manager for the RTC Test Program Integration Directorate. Chenoweth initiated this effort with the aid of RAPTR propulsion subject-matter-expert, Ken Boyd and the RAPTR Test Director, Troy Bedsole, in order to provide support to the Army's special operations aviation regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

"The partnership of RTC with the Technology Applications Program Office and the AMCOM Logistics Center will afford fully integrated YT706 RAPTR Test Cell support for advanced engine/FADEC diagnostics and troubleshooting and HUMs in an effort to reduce operations and support costs," said Chenoweth.

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RTC, a subordinate command of the Army Test and Evaluation Command, provides technical expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and capabilities to plan, conduct, analyze, and report the results of test on missile and aviation systems, sensors, subsystems and components.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Test and Evalution Command

Redstone Test Center