Boeing has been awarded an $18 million US Army contract for Phase II of its Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS) program, designed to improve helicopters’ manoeuvrability and performance.
The advanced rotorcraft flight control system, a joint development project between Boeing and the Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD), reduces aircrew workload and overall operating costs, Boeing claims. AVMS adapts the flight controls to the aircraft’s flight condition, environment and even pilot intent.
“This second phase will encompass more than 100 hours of flight test time and allow us to build on the great work we’ve accomplished over the past two years with the AATD,” said James Dryfoos, AVMS program manager for Boeing.
In Phase II, the team will fly the AVMS system on the modified Boeing H-6 helicopter used in Phase I, as well as on the larger Boeing AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The tests will demonstrate the design’s portability and show how it enhances flight performance during attack and cargo missions.
