REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Feb. 11, 2014) -- Warfighter needs are complex, urgent, and constantly developing. The Czech Republic, an allied partner through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, recently needed a rapid response solution to modernize their Mi-171Sh fleet.
The U.S. Army Aviation Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center addressed those needs in a unique way. The AMRDEC Prototype Integration Facility teamed with the Non-Standard Rotary Wing Aircraft Program Management Office the Security Assistance Management Directorate and the Office of Defense Cooperation, Prague to integrate critical aviation capabilities for the Czech Republic Ministry of Defense.
The team used the organic technical and industrial base to develop an integration package for defense suppression weapons on the Mi-171Sh aircraft.
The defense suppression weapons enhanced the Czech Republic Special Operations Air Tactical Unit, self-defense capability and increased their ability to execute NATO missions. The PIF team performed the structural analyses, along with the weight and balance report to substantiate the design to mount the weapon system within the aircraft. An airworthiness certification, for the defense suppression weapons, was achieved through a collaborative effort between the PIF, NSRWA PMO, AMRDEC Aviation Engineering Directorate, and the Czech Republic Military Aviation Authority.
"We deployed a modification team to travel to Prague, where they integrated the defense suppression weapons on seven Mi-171Sh aircraft in one week," said Kris Graviet, PIF Project Lead. "This integration allowed the Czech Republic SOATU to demonstrate the weapon system during the Special Operations Command Exercise Jackal Stone. This critical exercise is designed to enhance combined interoperability with allied and partner nations in an integrated environment."
The aircraft was also equipped with a ballistic protection system consisting of a light weight composite armor providing coverage for cockpit, cabin, and cargo areas. This system creates a significant area of protection to the airframe for crew stations, passengers, cargo, and other critical components for combat flight in threat areas.
The PIF collaborated with industry partners, and original equipment manufacturers, to produce a government solution equipping the Mi-171Sh aircraft with infrared imaging systems, weather radar, fast rope insertion systems, and internal auxiliary fuel tanks. These new capabilities will ensure safety of the Warfighter while extending allied aircraft time in combat.
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The Aviation Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Material Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
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