Features Update from HX-21 / MH-60 Test Community By LCDR Justin “Street Meat” Langan, USN
M
y intentions are three-fold: communicate the improvements of SysConfig18 and future capabilities of SysConfig20 (expected early 2022), provide details on how to effect change in the H-60, and put in a shameless recruiting plug for future test pilots by explaining HX-21’s role in Naval Aviation.
SysConfig 18 (SC18) for MH-60R/S
The long-awaited and highly anticipated SC18 is finally hitting the Fleet… By now, some operators have already experienced the new functionality, but below is a summary of several SC18 highlights. If you would like to find training information pertaining to these additions, please contact your Wing Training Officers. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
VOR/ILS Capability for the MH-60R (H/W dependent) Multi-Helo AMP Dip Patterns for up to 4 MH-60Rs / AMP Live DAFIF Auto-Tuning for Radios / NAVAIDS ADS-B L16 EW Messages MTS Elevation Slewing CDU Shortcuts for ATAK, ESM, FLIR, ACST, and ASE Display Modes TACAN Tracks Rocket Sim Mode for DRL/APKWS ASW Sim Mode ALFS Data Displayed on the Hover Mode Decreased Number of Nuisance Fuel Low Master Caution Alerts Updates to Acoustics / ESM / Data Fusion / L16 / Datalink / ADTS recording / JMPS
Testing of SC18 consisted of 66 sorties and 184 flight hours over a period of four years with hundreds of lab and ground testing hours in Pax River, MD at HX-21 and Owego, NY at Lockheed Martin. Initially thought to be the last software update in the MH-60 lifetime, it was the single largest software release in program history. Many challenges were experienced during the SC18 rollout including the expansive scope of the release, testing with new aircraft hardware, and incorporating new software releases for supporting components including ADTS / MTS / IMDS / JMPS. In addition, SC18 involved a large programmatic coordination effort from multiple civilian contractors and multiple program offices. We overcame these challenges with joint efforts from HX-21, VX-1, PMA-299, and Lockheed Martin.
What to look forward to in SysConfig 20 (SC20) in early 2022
Because of the continued success of the H-60 and lessons learned from SC18, a desire arose to improve capability through incremental hardware and software releases, which led to SC20. In SC20, operators can expect the following functionality: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Active Radio Indications Radio Scan Barometric Altimeter Low Altitude Alerts Enhanced Fuel and Power Management (EFPM) TOT / Jet Log Flight Plan Table DVE Mode Target Attack Menu Wind Calculation Changes / Manual Wind Entry Updates to Radar / ESM / Acoustics / JMPS
This effort is already well underway including testing new mission computers with Intel processors for added processing capability. Your idea for an enhancement/fix can become a reality SysConfig releases are planned periodically. Therefore, if there are improvements that you as a Fleet operator would like to see, writing a Software Trouble Report (STR) and submitting it to PMA-299 (https://pma299.navair.navy. mil) is the first step in getting that fix implemented in an upcoming release. Fleet operators will then evaluate these requested fixes/enhancements at a Software Naval Aviation Requirements Group (SNARG) and rank them in accordance with their priority. PMA-299 will then pursue funding for STRs and Program Trouble Reports (PTRs) for inclusion into future SysConfigs. An engineer will create the STR/ PTR Prototype and will brief the Fleet operators and the Program Office at Crew Systems Working Group (CSWGs). DAFIF Auto-Tuning for Radios / NAVAIDS
Rotor Review #152 Spring '21
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