UK A330 multi-role tanker transport Defensive Aids System testing

Alex Parr, Test Pilot, 206 (Reserve) Aquadron, UK
Adrian Woolven, Flight Test Engineer, 206 (Reserve) Aquadron, UK

Abstract

The UK Ministry of Defence has recently introduced the Airbus A330 MRTT (as known as Voyager) into the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) inventory for the Strategic Air Transport, aero- medical evacuation and Air-to-Air Refuelling roles. A key enabler for entry into hostile air and ground environments is a defensive aids system (DAS). Voyager was procured with an AN/AAQ-24(V) NEMESIS Self-Protection Suite comprising Missile Warning Sensors and 2 Small Laser Turret Assemblies (SLTA). Collectively this is known as Large Aircraft Infra-red Countermeasures (LAIRCM). A recent modification program has embodied a third SLTA. Airbus Military had carried out one test flight to prove the functionality of the 2-turret fit, but it was left to RAF in-service testing to prove the functionality and effectiveness of the 3-turret fit, known as Enhanced DAS (EDAS).

This paper will describe how the UK tests Air Platform Protection systems such as EDAS and the test techniques required to achieve this. In particular, there was a requirement to examine the aircraft in the departure and approach configurations, when the aircraft is most vulnerable to a ground-launched threat. Trial preparation included defining the typical types of departure and approach. We will discuss the difficulties of testing with production aircraft which require a detailed understanding of the flying control laws, as well as conducting testing in the low level environment (down to 500 ft) in an aircraft not optimised for nor accustomed to this type of flight. These difficulties were mitigated by using a simulator to practise the unique set-up for the test points and emergency procedures particular to operating at low level. The team also took advantage of some Flight Management Systems functions in order to fly the test points as accurately as possible, and used the available performance data and flight data moni- toring to define representative take-off speeds and gather detailed data.

The testing included a broad range of collaborations including flight test and frontline person- nel on the flight deck, the test teams on the ground and the engineering support. Without the close liaison with the ground test teams during the detailed planning process the full envelope of testing would not have been adequately defined and many more test points would have been required.