Abstract:
Automated power assurance technology consists of a real-time software module which processes measurements collected by various sensors on an aircraft and calculates key characteristic engine parameters and performance limits which are used for maintenance and mission planning purposes. The technical effort undertaken as part of the Capability-Based Operations and Sustainment Technology-Aviation (COST-A) program, and described in this paper, sought to improve overall algorithm performance from the baseline established under past development programs and further advance the technology along the path to transition to use by the UH-60 BLACK HAWK fleet. After analysis of UH-60 HUMS data and other full-scale test data, all of the technical performance goals for automated power assurance were met. These goals included compensating for the use of customer (i.e., compressor) bleed air and other engine operating conditions while maintaining Engine Torque Factor (ETF) to within a specified tolerance from ground truth as established in a calibrated test cell. In addition, ETF repeatability was within the expected tolerance at a 3-sigma confidence level. Given the positive results that were obtained under COST-A, the next steps for the automated power assurance software include a flight test of the algorithm in Q3 2015, where the software will be embedded within the on-board system of an UH-60 aircraft. This test will further validate the technical performance of the algorithms and reduce integration risk, thus enabling a transition to production applications.