United Elias
02-11-2003, 17:33
The EA-32 Light Attack/Anti-Tank helicopter is a lightweight combat helicopter that was designed to provide support to ground troops, special forces and is the Air Force’s next generation armed reconnaissance helicopter. It also is the first helicopter developed specifically for this role. The EA-32 will provide a weapon system of unsurpassed war fighting capabilities crucial to the Army's future strategic vision. The EA-32 is intended to replace the current fleet of EA-22D and Ka-60 helicopters in all air assault roles and light division attack helicopter battalions, and supplement the EA-26 in heavy division/corps attack helicopter battalions. A variant of the EA-32 will also be used by Navy aviation and will be the first attack helicopter to be embarked on assault ships, it is ideally suited ot this role because of its small size and fantail.
While the EA-32 lacks the impressive payload of larger attack helicopters it makes up for this in agility, minimum observability and performance. Also the EA-32 is approximately 50% cheaper to purchase than larger equivalents while being 20-30% cheaper to operate and maintain.
Features
Composite Materials (Zvarinograd) The EA-32 features the Zvarinograd AZ-CMT III Null-Radar Composite armor
AZ-CMT III
- Radar-Adsorbent Materials
- Characterization of Advanced Organic Fibers
- Stress Wave Prediction and Management in Functionally Graded Materials
- Friction Effects on Fabric Structures
- Application of Genetic Algorithms to Composite Analysis and Design
- Carbides as Hard Coating Materials for Polymers, Metals and Ceramics
- Composite Damage Mechanisms
- Armor Model Mechanisms
- Easy Repair of Hybrid Composite Structures
- Photonic Bandgap Materials for Controlled Emissivity Surfaces
- Frequency-Dependent Damping Characteristics of Composites
- Hybrid Materials
- Flexible Polymeric Light-Emitting Diodes*
- Nanoparticulate Composite Liquid Shear-Thickening
*For use when the vehicle is disabled, the armor becomes a rescue beacon
Noise suppression: The EA-32 only radiates one-half the rotor noise of current helicopters. Noise is reduced by use of a four-bladed rotor, pioneered by the successful EA-28 series of light utility helicopters. The fantail eliminates interaction between main rotor and tail rotor wakes. The advanced rotor design permits operation at low speed, allowing the EA-32 to sneak 40% closer to a target than an AH-64 Apache, without being detected by an acoustical system.
Infrared (IR) suppression: The EA-32 only radiates 25% of the engine heat of current helicopters, a critical survivability design concern in a low-flying tactical scout helicopter. The EA-32 is the first helicopter in which the infrared (IR) suppression system is integrated into the airframe. This innovative design feature provides IR suppressors that are built into the tail-boom, providing ample length for complete and efficient mixing of engine exhaust and cooling air flowing through inlets above the tail. The mixed exhaust is discharged through slots built into an inverted shelf on the sides of the tail-boom. The gases are cooled so thoroughly that a heat-seeking missile cannot find and lock-on to the EA-32.
Crew Protection: The EA-32 features a crew compartment sealed for protection against chemical or biological threats, an airframe resilient against ballistic damage, enhanced crash-worthiness, and reduced susceptibility to electromagnetic interference. Extensive all-round armour installed in the cockpit protects the pilot against 12.7mm armour piercing bullets and 23mm projectile fragments. The rotor blades are rated to withstand several hits of ground-based automatic weapons. The EA-32 as with the EA-26 features a Rocket Assisted Ejection System which allows the crew to escape at all altitudes and speeds.
Maintainability: The EA-32 is easily sustained, requires fewer personnel and support equipment, and will provide a decisive battlefield capability in day, night and adverse weather operations. EA-32 has been designed to be exceptionally maintainable and easily transportable. Through its keel-beam construction, numerous access panels, easily accessible line-replaceable units/modules and advanced diagnostics, the EA-32 possesses "designed-in" maintainability. EA-32 aircraft will be able to be rapidly loaded into or unloaded from most transport aircraft.
Sensors and avionics: In the reconnaissance role, the EA-32 will be equipped with a new generation of passive sensors and a fully integrated suite of displays and communications. The helicopter will be equipped with the Longbow fire control radar and the Helmet Integrated Display and Sight System (HIDSS). The fully integrated avionics system will allow tactical data to be overlaid onto a digital map, allowing the crew to devote more time for target detection and classification. A triple-redundant fly-by-wire system can automatically hold the helicopter in hover or in almost any other maneuver, reducing workload, allowing the pilot to concentrate on navigation and threat avoidance. A hand-on grip permits one-handed operation.
Armament: The EA-32 has two stub wings on either side if the fuselage each with two under wing hardpoints and a wingtip hardpoint for short range AAMs. The inner wing harpoon can each accommodate either 4 Hellfire/TOW/similar ATGMs, or two free flight rocket pods. The outer hardpoint can each accommodate either 2 Hellfire/TOW/similar ATGMs, or a single free flight rocket pod. The wingtip hardpoints can each mount a single IR anti-air missile such as Igla/Stinger/Strela or similar type.
If the mission requires it a three barreled 20mm cannon turret (same as fitted on RAH-66) can be mounted undernose although it increases RCS. Up to 480 rounds can be carried. Attaching the turret can be completed in theater and takes approximately 90 minutes.
Specifications
Powerplants: 2 EPE-11M3/4K turboshafts producing 2250 shp each.
Performance:
Cruising speed: 158 knots.
Max Speed: 172 knots
Max Range: 480 nautical Miles (can be increased by 300nm with external tanks on inner weapons hardpoints.)
Service Ceiling: 22,000ft
Dimensions:
Fuselage length:
12.4m
Diameter Main Rotor:
11.50m
Height: 3.8m
Avionics/Sensors: Millimetric Radar, Low-light level TV or thermal sighting, a laser range-finder (16 km), FLIR, air data sensor, and digital data-link which interface with a fire control com-puter, an autopilot, a helmet sighting system and HUD for target location, acquisition, designation, and firing. Night/Poor Weather capable.
Survivability/Countermeasures:
- Main rotors and engines electrically deiced.
- Infrared signature suppressors can be mounted on engine exhausts.
- Radar warning receivers, IFF, chaff and flares.
- Armored cockpit and self-sealing fuel tanks.
- Pilot ejection system.
Versions
EA-32A Attack helicopter: 12 million each
EA-32B Marine Attack Helicopter (includes Naval Conversion Package: salt corrosion protectors, emergency inflatable flotation pods, carrier operations equipment etc)[b] : 12.5 million
Options
Air to Air Refueling Probe: $200,000
http://www.navalarmada.com/images/oh1.gif
http://www.pilotfriend.com/century-of-flight/Aviation%20history/HELICOPTERS/images6/xoh1_3.jpg
http://afbase.com/img/acdata/Helicopter/oh-1/oh1-12.jpg
http://afbase.com/img/acdata/Helicopter/oh-1/oh1-04.jpg
http://www.khi.co.jp/aero/oh-1.jpg
While the EA-32 lacks the impressive payload of larger attack helicopters it makes up for this in agility, minimum observability and performance. Also the EA-32 is approximately 50% cheaper to purchase than larger equivalents while being 20-30% cheaper to operate and maintain.
Features
Composite Materials (Zvarinograd) The EA-32 features the Zvarinograd AZ-CMT III Null-Radar Composite armor
AZ-CMT III
- Radar-Adsorbent Materials
- Characterization of Advanced Organic Fibers
- Stress Wave Prediction and Management in Functionally Graded Materials
- Friction Effects on Fabric Structures
- Application of Genetic Algorithms to Composite Analysis and Design
- Carbides as Hard Coating Materials for Polymers, Metals and Ceramics
- Composite Damage Mechanisms
- Armor Model Mechanisms
- Easy Repair of Hybrid Composite Structures
- Photonic Bandgap Materials for Controlled Emissivity Surfaces
- Frequency-Dependent Damping Characteristics of Composites
- Hybrid Materials
- Flexible Polymeric Light-Emitting Diodes*
- Nanoparticulate Composite Liquid Shear-Thickening
*For use when the vehicle is disabled, the armor becomes a rescue beacon
Noise suppression: The EA-32 only radiates one-half the rotor noise of current helicopters. Noise is reduced by use of a four-bladed rotor, pioneered by the successful EA-28 series of light utility helicopters. The fantail eliminates interaction between main rotor and tail rotor wakes. The advanced rotor design permits operation at low speed, allowing the EA-32 to sneak 40% closer to a target than an AH-64 Apache, without being detected by an acoustical system.
Infrared (IR) suppression: The EA-32 only radiates 25% of the engine heat of current helicopters, a critical survivability design concern in a low-flying tactical scout helicopter. The EA-32 is the first helicopter in which the infrared (IR) suppression system is integrated into the airframe. This innovative design feature provides IR suppressors that are built into the tail-boom, providing ample length for complete and efficient mixing of engine exhaust and cooling air flowing through inlets above the tail. The mixed exhaust is discharged through slots built into an inverted shelf on the sides of the tail-boom. The gases are cooled so thoroughly that a heat-seeking missile cannot find and lock-on to the EA-32.
Crew Protection: The EA-32 features a crew compartment sealed for protection against chemical or biological threats, an airframe resilient against ballistic damage, enhanced crash-worthiness, and reduced susceptibility to electromagnetic interference. Extensive all-round armour installed in the cockpit protects the pilot against 12.7mm armour piercing bullets and 23mm projectile fragments. The rotor blades are rated to withstand several hits of ground-based automatic weapons. The EA-32 as with the EA-26 features a Rocket Assisted Ejection System which allows the crew to escape at all altitudes and speeds.
Maintainability: The EA-32 is easily sustained, requires fewer personnel and support equipment, and will provide a decisive battlefield capability in day, night and adverse weather operations. EA-32 has been designed to be exceptionally maintainable and easily transportable. Through its keel-beam construction, numerous access panels, easily accessible line-replaceable units/modules and advanced diagnostics, the EA-32 possesses "designed-in" maintainability. EA-32 aircraft will be able to be rapidly loaded into or unloaded from most transport aircraft.
Sensors and avionics: In the reconnaissance role, the EA-32 will be equipped with a new generation of passive sensors and a fully integrated suite of displays and communications. The helicopter will be equipped with the Longbow fire control radar and the Helmet Integrated Display and Sight System (HIDSS). The fully integrated avionics system will allow tactical data to be overlaid onto a digital map, allowing the crew to devote more time for target detection and classification. A triple-redundant fly-by-wire system can automatically hold the helicopter in hover or in almost any other maneuver, reducing workload, allowing the pilot to concentrate on navigation and threat avoidance. A hand-on grip permits one-handed operation.
Armament: The EA-32 has two stub wings on either side if the fuselage each with two under wing hardpoints and a wingtip hardpoint for short range AAMs. The inner wing harpoon can each accommodate either 4 Hellfire/TOW/similar ATGMs, or two free flight rocket pods. The outer hardpoint can each accommodate either 2 Hellfire/TOW/similar ATGMs, or a single free flight rocket pod. The wingtip hardpoints can each mount a single IR anti-air missile such as Igla/Stinger/Strela or similar type.
If the mission requires it a three barreled 20mm cannon turret (same as fitted on RAH-66) can be mounted undernose although it increases RCS. Up to 480 rounds can be carried. Attaching the turret can be completed in theater and takes approximately 90 minutes.
Specifications
Powerplants: 2 EPE-11M3/4K turboshafts producing 2250 shp each.
Performance:
Cruising speed: 158 knots.
Max Speed: 172 knots
Max Range: 480 nautical Miles (can be increased by 300nm with external tanks on inner weapons hardpoints.)
Service Ceiling: 22,000ft
Dimensions:
Fuselage length:
12.4m
Diameter Main Rotor:
11.50m
Height: 3.8m
Avionics/Sensors: Millimetric Radar, Low-light level TV or thermal sighting, a laser range-finder (16 km), FLIR, air data sensor, and digital data-link which interface with a fire control com-puter, an autopilot, a helmet sighting system and HUD for target location, acquisition, designation, and firing. Night/Poor Weather capable.
Survivability/Countermeasures:
- Main rotors and engines electrically deiced.
- Infrared signature suppressors can be mounted on engine exhausts.
- Radar warning receivers, IFF, chaff and flares.
- Armored cockpit and self-sealing fuel tanks.
- Pilot ejection system.
Versions
EA-32A Attack helicopter: 12 million each
EA-32B Marine Attack Helicopter (includes Naval Conversion Package: salt corrosion protectors, emergency inflatable flotation pods, carrier operations equipment etc)[b] : 12.5 million
Options
Air to Air Refueling Probe: $200,000
http://www.navalarmada.com/images/oh1.gif
http://www.pilotfriend.com/century-of-flight/Aviation%20history/HELICOPTERS/images6/xoh1_3.jpg
http://afbase.com/img/acdata/Helicopter/oh-1/oh1-12.jpg
http://afbase.com/img/acdata/Helicopter/oh-1/oh1-04.jpg
http://www.khi.co.jp/aero/oh-1.jpg