MV-22B Short Takeoff and Minimum Run-On Landing Tests Aboard Nimitz-Class Ships

Abstract

Tiltrotor aircraft ship suitability and envelope expansion testing aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier is discussed. The purpose was to validate and expand day/night vertical launch and recovery wind envelopes, and the development of short takeoff and minimum run-on landing wind envelopes. The preparation phase incorporated a six-degree-of-freedom motion flight simulator to evaluate flight dynamics prior to on-shore testing using V-22 developmental and production aircraft. The short takeoff and minimum run-on landing testing totaled 12.3 flight hours with 33 takeoffs and 32 landings. The gross weights ranged from 51,000 to 57,000 lb with $\pm 15\mathrm{deg}$ of relative wind from 0 to 45 kt. The test pilots provided assessments of handling and flying qualities throughout the maneuvers using the deck interface pilot effort scale. Predictability tests were required to determine the pilot’s ability to land within the defined touchdown zone and speeds for safely stopping within the braking zone. The results show the integrated nature of shipboard flight testing and the process of combining pilot workload ratings, control strategies, and aerodynamic analyses to field a needed capability.