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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

SH-60(R) MULTI-MISSION HELO UPGRADE

	Navy ACAT IC Program 188 systems Total program cost (TY$) $5633.4M Average unit cost (TY$) $25.778M Full-rate production 1QFY02 Prime Contractor Lockheed Martin

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The SH-60(R) Multi-Mission Helicopter Upgrade (formally called LAMPS MK III Block II Upgrade) brings improvements to the SH-60 B/F helicopters now in the fleet. The Upgrade represents a significant avionics modification to the SH-60 series aircraft enhancing USW, ASUW, surveillance and ID and power projection, supporting the operational requirements of full-dimensional protection. The Upgrade develops the Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) and increases sonobuoy and acoustic signal processing using the UYS-2A Enhanced Modular Signal Processor. In addition, the aircraft will employ a Multi-Mode Radar (MMR), (including Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) and imaging and periscope detection modes), an ESM upgrade, and a fully automated self protection system. Additionally, the aircraft will employ a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor, with laser designator and capability to launch Hellfire missiles.

LAMPS MK III completed OPEVAL in February 1982 and was found to be effective and suitable. FOT&E which tested the LAMPS MK III Block I Upgrade was completed in 1993 with similar results.

The Block II Upgrade entered EMD in FY93 and building on the Block I Baseline, includes major avionics modifications. The Navy plans to install this upgrade in former SH-60B, SH-60F or HH-60H airframes that have undergone "remanufacture" in the H-60 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), the resultant aircraft to be designated a SH-60R.

No OT&E field activity took place in FY97. Development and contractor / government testing of the ALFS and MMR took place in FY97. A Test and Evaluation Planning Working Group (TPWG) and a Modeling and Simulation working group have been formed and began working in FY97. A revised TEMP is being developed.

Consolidation of the ALFS and SH-60R programs has occurred and it is expected that the FY98 TEMP revision will address this consolidation.

ALFS completed DT-IIA flight testing in September 1997. Preliminary data analysis indicated successful demonstration of ALFS performance requirements but uncovered reliability problems with Weapon Replaceable Assemblies and non-compliance with system specifications. ALFS OT-IIA, originally planned for October through December 1997 is being delayed and corrective action plans have been identified to resolve these issues during FY98 to support the SH-60R FY98 and FY99 test schedule.

Although the airframe itself is not new, the SH-60R program has considerable risk due to the reliability problems with ALFS, higher than expected false alarm rates on the Advanced Radar Detection and Discrimination (ARPDD) program of the MMR, anticipated additional problems with the MMR and incorporation of a new cockpit that will be common to the CH-60. The program manager has been very forthcoming in reporting these difficulties and is working hard to resolve them. The T&E IPT is effective and nearing completion of a TEMP revision that reflects recent programmatic changes and consolidates test schedules. Adequate test assets and aircraft configurations are planned, and detailed reviews of the CT, DT and OT schedules and time requirements are being conducted.