External fuel tank survives crash

The Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD), Fort Eustis, VA, recently conducted a successful UH-60A BLACK HAWK full-scale drop test with external fuel tanks at the FullScale Dynamics Research Facility, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA. The test was conducted as part of an ongoing cooperative research and development agreement between AATD and Robertson Aviation to develop a crashworthy, ballistic-tolerant external fuel tank. The object of the test was to demonstrate that the tanks, filled with 200 gallons of water and mounted on a crash-damaged UH-60A fuselage, could survive a 65-feet-per-second crash without leaking. There was severe damage to the outer shells of the tanks, but there were no leaks. The AH-64 Apache uses a similar configuration on its weapons pylons by substituting the tanks for HELLFIRE missiles to extend its ferry range. The tanks are also proposed for use on the Army's new RAH-66 Comanche helicopter.