Aviators, crewmembers, and assist personnel of the 106th Aviation Regiment, Illinois Military Nationwide Guard, are right here operationally testing the UH–60V Blackhawk helicopter whereas making ready for an upcoming deployment. As the latest helicopter launched into the Military’s stock, the UH60-V started fielding to the 106th throughout 2021 following the unit’s choice because the U.S. Military’s first unit geared up. “Victor” mannequin testing completes a 24-month course of from conception to actuality for the Illinois Guard unit. The helicopter check is the primary time a number of members of the unit have seen or labored with one another, flying 192 hours throughout 4 weeks. The 106th Aviation Regiment has services in Kankakee and Decatur, Illinois.
“Transitioning the Illinois fleet from analog to digital — studying the brand new parts and techniques — I loved the problem of studying one thing new that can present a brand new functionality to Troopers and the unit. The cohesion from completely different services, specializing in success, has been rewarding,” stated Employees Sgt. John Bahena, an Avionics Technician from Waukegan, Illinois.
Commercial
Adams, with the Aviation Take a look at Directorate of the Fort Hood, Texas-based U.S. Military Operational Take a look at Command stated, “The information collected throughout testing will assist an unbiased analysis by the U.S. Military Take a look at and Analysis Command’s Military Analysis Middle at Aberdeen Proving Floor, Maryland. Their coaching offers a chance to enhance unit readiness; and the user-level suggestions the operators present is crucial for the Military’s determination whether or not or to not provoke full-rate manufacturing,”
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brennon Hyperlinks, a Upkeep Take a look at Pilot (MTP) from Mulberry Grove, Illinois, stated, “Being part of the primary unit fielding for the Military. The 60V is a greater model of what I like and am used to. Being an MTP, if I ever had an issue, I may attain out to the massive UH–60 group for solutions. Nonetheless, being the one Victor mannequin unit, we’ve had to determine numerous points on our personal. The 60V offers Lima-model security, reliability, and trustworthiness, solely higher.”
The UH-60V Black Hawk is a retrofit of the UH-60L upgraded with the Northrop Grumman’s ‘digital cockpit’ suite and OpenLift structure, has acquired official certification to fly in all circumstances. The UH-60V program is designed to retrofit the L-model Black Hawks with functionality similar to the UH-60M, with the OpenLift-powered structure enabling extra fast integration of recent avionics capabilities. The Military beforehand famous the first Battalion of the 106th Aviation Regiment would be the first tactical unit to obtain UH-60Vs, with fielding set to be accomplished by the tip of fiscal yr 2022. The UH-60V program is predicted to incorporate changing 760 complete UH-60L mannequin plane to new, modernized configuration
Because the Military’s solely unbiased operational tester, OTC checks Military, joint, and multi-service warfighting techniques in sensible operational environments, utilizing typical Troopers to find out whether or not the techniques are efficient, appropriate, and survivable. OTC is required by public legislation to check main techniques earlier than they’re fielded to its final buyer — the American Soldier. The Aviation Take a look at Directorate at West Fort Hood, Texas, plans and conducts operational checks and stories on manned and unmanned aviation-related gear to incorporate assault, reconnaissance, cargo and raise helicopters, mounted wing plane, tactical trainers, floor assist gear, and aviation countermeasure techniques.
