PH139 Helicopter: the Flight Experimental Department contributes to certification for naval interoperability

From 5 to 13 May, the Experimental Flight Department has conducted, both at the Pratica di Mare military airport and in the vicinity of the Strait of Messina, an experimental testing campaign aimed at the technical certification of helicopter interoperability PH-139 with ships of the Dattilo class, belonging to the Body of Harbour Masters.

The aforementioned activity constitutes the final act of a programme that began approximately two years ago and has developed through technical meetings with the Coastguard and Leonardo Helicopters Division, aimed at certifying the interoperability between the PH-139 helicopters and naval units, for conducting flight operations on board according to Italian Navy procedures.

The campaign, aimed at demonstrating the PH-139 helicopter's capability for take-off and landing (landing on a ship's deck) and for conducting flight deck operations, was made possible by the synergy between the Flight Experimental Department, a department dependent on the Aeronautical and Space Experimentation Air Division, the crew of the Dattilo ship, and an experienced flight operations team from the Navy, including personnel from the Aeromaritime Experimental Centre (CSA).

It The Experimental Flight Department planned, coordinated, directed and carried out experimental flight testing., for the demonstration of the machine's technical capability.

The tests conducted, among other things, covered:

• an assessment of the controllability of the PH-139 at low altitudes, low speeds and high weights;

• technical assessments of activities necessary for the helicopter to be embarked, such as refuelling, lashing (securing the helicopter to the flight deck) and movement on the flight deck of the ship Dattilo. In this particular activity, on 6 May at the airport of Pratica di Mare, thanks to an integrated team of Experimental Flight Department, made up of test pilots, experimental engineers and technicians, the capability of refuelling with the rotor running and in motion was demonstrated for the first time in the history of the AW-139 helicoptersHot refuelling);

• assessment of the dynamic interference between helicopter and ship, in order to validate the technical limits of wind and ship roll during take-off and landing phases.

The evidence has allowed the collection of important technical evidence to support the determinations of the Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA), aimed at Release of naval interoperability certification.