National Guard helicopters' dual mandate to support combat and domestic operations require the highest levels of Operational Readiness (Ao) and Maintenance Free Operating Periods (MFOP). These requirements ARE maximized by the integration of IVHM with load path monitoring sensors on the landing gear, as well as critical structures driving significant inspection and service requirements such as the H-60 Butt Line (BL) 34.5 beam and Station (Sta.) 308 beam.

Upgrading these helicopters with strain-based load path monitoring sensors will detect hard landings, continually monitor hard to inspect locations and provide on condition maintenance recommendations prior to failure. A new category of strain-based load path sensors enables the monitoring of loads by being “ON” the load path as opposed to being “IN” the load path, making these sensors well suited for retrofit and new applications. Using open systems architecture, these sensors can be adopted to conventional and skid landing gear configurations, along with a broad range of complex geometry structures.

Furthermore, the introduction of load path monitoring sensors on the landing gear coupling to the airframe provides the opportunity to resolve the forces and weight of the helicopter. With this information the gross weight (GW) and center of gravity (CG) can be resolved, enabling the real-time calculation of the aircraft weight and balance (W & B) during operation and reported to the flight crew. The automation of GW and W & B during normal rescue/tactical operations significantly increases Ao and operational safety in particularly demanding environments where National Guard helicopters are regularly called on for support.