The Sikorsky S-69 (military designation XH-59 ) is an American experimental compound helicopter developed by Sikorsky Aircraft as the demonstrator of the co-axial Advancing Blade Concept (ABC) with United States Army and NASA funding.
130-717: In late 1971, the Army Air Mobility Research and Development Laboratory, which later became a part of the Army Research Laboratory , awarded Sikorsky a contract for the development of the first prototype. The S-69 was the demonstrator for the Advancing Blade Concept (ABC). The first S-69 built (73-21941) first flew on July 26, 1973. However, it was badly damaged in a low-speed crash on August 24, 1973 due to unexpected rotor forces and insufficient control systems. The airframe
260-457: A 5- to 8-year period to fund new facilities, research, design tools, and manufacturing processes. News of this unforeseen expense caused the DoD to re-examine the quality and readiness of the U.S. industrial base. At the time, the erosion of U.S. manufacturing capabilities in microelectronics and the loss of U.S. dominance in the global semiconductor marketplace prompted the DoD to heavily scrutinize
390-606: A competency-based organizational structure that realigned the laboratory's intramural and extramural research efforts to underscore the Army's targeted priorities in science and technology. In 2023, DEVCOM ARL established its fifth regional site, ARL Mid-Atlantic, in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland . As of 2024, DEVCOM ARL consists of three directorates: the Army Research Directorate (ARD),
520-458: A continuously upgraded base in electronics technology and devices and resolving performance shortfalls uncovered during developmental test programs. ETDL’s in-house research and development efforts were divided among five divisions within the laboratory: Electronic Materials, Microelectronics and Displays, Microwave and Signal Processing Devices, Power Sources, and Industrial Engineering and Development. Due to their role in building and maintaining
650-405: A fast rate that electronic components in some military systems, as well as the facilities that produced them, faced the danger of early obsolescence. Unable to keep pace with the technology’s rapid evolution in the commercial sector, the DoD was left with military technology that relied on outdated electronic subsystems. By 1980, analysts estimated that the semiconductor technology in military systems
780-673: A federated laboratory that delegated research and development in digital technologies to newly established research centers in the private sector. Known as the Federated Laboratory, or FedLab, the approach entailed a closer working partnership between ARL and the private sector that couldn't be achieved through standard contractual processes. To overcome this issue, the U.S. Army granted ARL the authority to enter into research cooperative agreements in July 1994. ARL funded as many as 10 new research centers as part of FedLab and incorporated
910-564: A little less than a year, Vitali implemented foundational changes in ARL's management that would later shape the core operations of the laboratory. Inspired by a successful precedent in LABCOM, he established an advisory body of senior scientists and engineers known as the ARL Fellows to provide guidance to the director on various matters related to their field of expertise. Vitali also facilitated
1040-502: A major Army center for research and development in technologies related to weapon phenomena, armor, accelerator physics, and high-speed computing. The laboratory is perhaps best known for commissioning the creation of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), the first electronic general-purpose digital computer. The Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory was a research facility under
1170-618: A major subordinate command under AMC on March 1, 2004. Positioned at the center of Army technology development, RDECOM was given authority over ARL, the RDECs, the Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity, and a portion of the Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command. As a result, ARL, which had previously reported directly to AMC headquarters, henceforth reported to RDECOM instead. Throughout
1300-550: A plan to fully implement the recommendations made by the Packard Commission , a committee that had previously reported on the state of defense procurement in the government. As a result of this directive, the U.S. Army chartered a high-level Army study known as the LAB-21 Study to evaluate the future of Army in-house research, development, and engineering activities. Conducted from November 1989 to February 1990,
1430-414: A plan to reduce and reshape the federal government. Taking advantage of this initiative to “reinvent the government,” Lyons saw an opportunity to address what he viewed as serious difficulties in the directorates’ operating environments that hindered their performance. His reform program for ARL included the consolidation of funding authority, the creation of an industrial fund and discretionary accounts, and
SECTION 10
#17327987758521560-712: A project that enhanced the battlefield forecasting capabilities of existing information systems, and the development of the Battlefield Combat Identification System . On September 14, 1993, John W. Lyons, a former director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), was installed as the first director of ARL. Following the end of the Cold War, the administration helmed by President William J. Clinton pushed for further cutbacks in defense spending as part of
1690-472: A result of a directive issued by the Army Chief of Staff to “digitize the battlefield” and enhance the U.S. Army's capabilities in the information sciences . Upon review, however, the Army realized that the private sector had far surpassed the military in the development and fielding of wireless digital communications , as evidenced by the prevalence of cellular phones in the commercial market. ARL lacked
1820-487: A result of its familiarity and expertise in this realm, ETDL helped shape the structure of the MIMIC Program. When the program was formally established across the DoD, ETDL served as the lead laboratory for the Army. As part of the MIMIC Program, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force organized and managed four large teams, each composed of several major U.S. companies, to develop the required MIMIC components for
1950-485: A result, the laboratories often did not share their findings or learn about the projects being performed at other facilities, which led to duplicated research and resource waste. Furthermore, the lack of central guidance produced research that distinguished the laboratories from each other but did not fulfill the most urgent or relevant needs of the Army. In the ensuing decades, the U.S. Army conducted various restructuring efforts to resolve this issue. The reorganization of
2080-679: Is in storage at the NASA Ames Research Center and 73-21942 is on display at the Army Aviation Museum , Fort Rucker, Alabama. Data from U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters, US Army Research Laboratory General characteristics Performance Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists Army Research Laboratory The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory ( DEVCOM ARL )
2210-583: Is led by the University of Southern California and focuses on basic and applied research in immersive technology , simulation , human performance, computer graphics , and artificial intelligence. The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies is led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and focuses on the advancement of nanotechnology to create new materials, devices, processes, and systems to improve Army capabilities. Following
2340-782: Is the foundational research laboratory for the United States Army under the United States Army Futures Command (AFC). DEVCOM ARL conducts intramural and extramural research guided by 11 Army competencies: Biological and Biotechnology Sciences; Humans in Complex Systems; Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences; Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences; Mechanical Sciences; Sciences of Extreme Materials; Energy Sciences; Military Information Sciences; Terminal Effects; Network, Cyber, and Computational Sciences; and Weapons Sciences. The laboratory
2470-841: The Armor Survivability Kit for the M998 HMMWV , the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, the Rhino Passive Infrared Defeat System , and the M1114 HMMWV Interim Fragment Kit 5. During this period of warfare, the laboratory strongly endorsed cross-directorate projects and funded high-risk, collaborative, and multi-disciplinary research in a bid to formulate more innovative science and technology capabilities that exceeded
2600-486: The Ballistic Research Laboratory , with funding from the U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM), contracted Sperry Microwave to develop a millimeter-wave homing seeker that used radar to search and track targets. By 1983, Sperry Microwave demonstrated 5-mm seeker heads but reported that the radio frequency (RF) components and the antenna assembly represented 79.9 percent of the unit production cost of
2730-1077: The Harry Diamond Laboratories (HDL), the Human Engineering Laboratory (HEL), the Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL), and the Vulnerability Assessment Laboratory (VAL). In 1998, the Army Research Office (ARO) was also incorporated into the organization. As of 2024, DEVCOM ARL's mission statement is as follows: “Our mission is to operationalize science.” Headquartered at the Adelphi Laboratory Center in Adelphi, Maryland , DEVCOM ARL operates laboratories and experimental facilities in several locations around
SECTION 20
#17327987758522860-593: The M1 tank fire control system, smart munitions, the tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) Auto Tracker , the Light Helicopter Experimental (LHX), and the Firefinder radar systems. ETDL also facilitated the development of an electron beam lithography system capable of fabricating submicron patterns at a faster rate than conventional electron beam machines. This lithography system
2990-457: The Materials Technology Laboratory during the transition), and the Office of Missile Electronic Warfare (renamed the Vulnerability Assessment Laboratory during the transition). LABCOM's primary mission was to facilitate the transition of technologies from basic research to fielded application while also finding ways to improve their integration into mission areas across the Army. Once LABCOM
3120-462: The Sikorsky X2 and Sikorsky S-97 Raider , from 2007. The Advancing Blade Concept system consisted of two rigid, contra-rotating rotors (30 inches apart) which made use of the aerodynamic lift of the advancing blades. At high speeds, the retreating blades were offloaded, as most of the load was supported by the advancing blades of both rotors and the penalty due to stall of the retreating blade
3250-449: The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in 1992, management of the MIMIC Program for the Army continued in ARL through program completion in 1995. The MIMIC Program was seen as a major success by the DoD and saw the establishment of the infrastructure and capabilities necessary to design and produce GaAs MMICs for a wide range of applications at low cost with high yield and reliability. While originally intended for military applications,
3380-507: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) submitted the recommendations from the LAB-21 Study for the 1991 BRAC . Upon BRAC's endorsement, the laboratory consolidation plan was subsequently approved by President Bush and Congress. Once the plan was authorized, Congress tasked the Federal Advisory Commission on Consolidation and Conversion of Defense Research and Development Laboratories with making recommendations to improve
3510-517: The University of Chicago ’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation reflected the laboratory's goals to establish its presence in the Midwest region. The fourth regional site, ARL Northeast, was established in Burlington, Massachusetts , on April 9, 2018. Its placement at Northeastern University ’s George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security marked what was believed to be
3640-448: The 2000s and early 2010s, ARL concentrated chiefly on addressing the operational technical challenges that arose during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom . Although long-term basic research traditionally represented the crux of ARL's work, heavy pressure from Army leadership redirected much of the laboratory's attention towards quick-fix solutions in response to urgent problems faced by troops in theater. Examples include
3770-581: The Army Howard Callaway established the Army Materiel Acquisition Review Committee (AMARC), an ad hoc group consisting primarily of civilians from outside the government, to analyze the Army's materiel acquisition process. Upon review of AMC's management of its science and technology elements, AMARC highlighted how the wide spectrum of research, development, and commodity responsibilities shouldered by
3900-615: The Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center (AMMRC) in 1967 before it became the Materials Technology Laboratory in 1985. The Vulnerability Assessment Laboratory was a research facility under the U.S. Army Materiel Command that specialized in missile electronic warfare, vulnerability, and surveillance. Headquartered at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, VAL was responsible for assessing
4030-739: The Army Research Office (ARO), and the Research Business Directorate (RBD). The laboratory executes intramural and extramural foundational research that adheres to 11 research competencies chosen by DEVCOM ARL. The 11 competencies are Biological and Biotechnology Sciences; Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences; Energy Sciences; Humans in Complex Systems; Mechanical Sciences; Military Information Sciences; Network, Cyber, and Computational Sciences; Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences; Sciences of Extreme Materials; Terminal Effects; and Weapons Sciences. ARD executes
Sikorsky S-69 - Misplaced Pages Continue
4160-482: The Army Research Office and six technical directorates. The September 11 attacks against the United States and the subsequent launch of Operation Enduring Freedom induced a sense of urgency across the U.S. Army to do whatever possible to accelerate the mobilization of offensive U.S. military capabilities. General Paul J. Kern , the newly appointed commanding general of AMC, stressed the need to streamline
4290-496: The Army in 1962 discontinued the Technical Services and established the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) to manage the Army's procurement and development functions for weapons and munitions. Research facilities within both the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and the U.S. Army Signal Corps , two major agencies of the Technical Services, were consolidated under AMC. This decision united the Army's combat materials research and
4420-402: The Army with new technologies. In particular, ARL remained responsible for conducting most of the Army's basic research, which served to meet the needs of the RDECs. Similar to the industry model where a corporate research and development laboratory provides support to multiple product divisions in the company, ARL was expected to bolster and accelerate higher-level product development performed by
4550-417: The Army's electronic materials research under a single command. Despite this change, the realigned research facilities continued to operate in an independent manner, and the problems remained unresolved. Later in the decade, AMC organized the former Ordnance Corps facilities into one group and the former Signal Corps facilities into a different group to foster closer working relationships within each group. While
4680-486: The Army's mission needs. In 2014, ARL launched the Open Campus pilot program as part of the laboratory's new business model, which placed greater focus on advancing collaborative fundamental research alongside prominent members in industry, academia, and other government laboratories. Designed to help ARL obtain new perspectives on Army problems and keep the laboratory connected with early-stage scientific innovations,
4810-468: The Army's technological challenges. Its mission has remained largely the same since the organization's inception as a standalone Army entity in 1951. RBD manages the laboratory's business operations and procedures as well as the ARL regional sites. It oversees the business and managerial elements of the organization, which includes laboratory operations, strategic partnerships and planning, and budget synchronization. DEVCOM ARL manages five regional sites in
4940-549: The Army’s electronic systems, the divisions worked closely with centers and laboratories across the U.S. Army for a wide range of research and development purposes. ETDL advanced communications technology with the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command , meteorology with the Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory , surveillance electronics with the Harry Diamond Laboratories , target acquisition systems with
5070-649: The Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory was a research facility under the U.S. Army Materiel Command that specialized in artillery meteorology, electro-optical climatology, atmospheric optics data, and atmospheric characterization from 1965 to 1992. The Ballistic Research Laboratory was a research facility under the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and later the U.S. Army Materiel Command that specialized in interior, exterior, and terminal ballistics as well as vulnerability and lethality analysis. Situated at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, BRL served as
5200-726: The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) identified the Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL) in Watertown, Massachusetts , for closure due to its outdated facilities. In opposition to the planned closure of the laboratory, LABCOM examined alternative solutions that would allow MTL and its capabilities to remain intact in some form. In 1989, LABCOM introduced a proposal to establish a single physical entity that would consolidate all of its laboratories, including MTL, in one location. Around this time, President George H. W. Bush had directed Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney to develop
5330-697: The Chemical Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CRDEC), a portion of the Army Air Mobility Research and Development Laboratory (AMRDL), a portion of the Tank-Automotive Command (TACOM) Research, Development, and Engineering Center, a portion of the Belvoir Research, Development, and Engineering Center, and a portion of the Night Vision and Electro-Optics Laboratory (NVEOL). The U.S. Army formally activated
Sikorsky S-69 - Misplaced Pages Continue
5460-715: The DoD. As part of the program, the hosting university provides dedicated facilities to its partners to conduct joint basic and applied research. DEVCOM ARL manages three UARCs for the DoD: the Institute of Collaborative Biotechnologies, the Institute for Creative Technologies, and the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. The Institute of Collaborative Biotechnologies is led by the University of California, Santa Barbara and focuses on technological innovations in systems biology , synthetic biology , bio-enabled materials, and cognitive neuroscience . The Institute for Creative Technologies
5590-476: The DoD’s missile, radar, electronic warfare, and communications systems. In order to facilitate cooperation and promote a unified effort toward achieving the overarching goals, the armed services arranged the terms of the collaboration so that the industry partners shared their data, patent rights, and knowledge base with each other and combined their existing R&D fabrication processes as a baseline. ETDL managed two of
5720-588: The DoD’s weapon systems. At ETDL, researchers conducted functional, parametric, and electrical performance verification tests on these devices to verify performance and identify hidden issues. The resulting microchips demonstrated a computational rate that was 10 times faster than that of commercial microcircuits at the time. By the end of the VHSIC Program, ETDL contributed to over 46 development or fielded systems in seven mission areas. Planned implementations of VHSIC technology included applications such as
5850-891: The Electronic Components Laboratory merged with the Institute for Exploratory Research to form the Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory. Its operations took place at the Albert J. Myer Center, commonly referred to as the Hexagon Building, at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. During the 1980s, ETDL acted as the lead laboratory for the Army for two significant technology programs within the Department of Defense (DoD): The Very High Speed Integrated Circuit (VHSIC) Program and
5980-717: The FedLab concept. The establishment of the FedLab structure led to several major changes in the organization of ARL's directorates. Beginning in April 1995, the bulk of the Sensors, Signatures, Signal and Information Processing Directorate (S I) merged with portions of the Electronics and Power Sources Directorate (EPSD) to form the Sensors Directorate (SEN). The remaining Information Processing Branch of S I joined
6110-497: The IC as a powerful force multiplier for national defense, the DoD invested heavily in programs that reinforced the military’s access to new IC designs and innovations. The U.S. government, as an early proponent of integrated circuits, originally dominated the user market during the 1960s as the leading global force behind their research and development. The government’s strong ties to the emerging IC manufacturing industry oriented much of
6240-441: The IC technology to suit the unique needs and requirements of the military. During the 1970s, however, commercial applications of IC technology generated so much business that the commercial market quickly overshadowed the federal market. As a result, IC manufacturers began tailoring their technology to conform to commercial interest instead of military specifications. By 1978, commercial applications represented more than 90 percent of
6370-780: The LAB-21 Study made recommendations that aligned with LABCOM's proposal for a single, centralized flagship laboratory. A second study known as the Laboratory Consolidation Study took place in June 1990 and endorsed the Army's plan to consolidate the laboratories under LABCOM. However, the proposal was modified to establish the centralized laboratory at two major sites— Adelphi, Maryland and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland —accompanied by elements at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico and at NASA facilities in Hampton, Virginia , and Cleveland, Ohio . In April 1991,
6500-964: The Low Observable Technology and Application (LOTA) Office, the Survivability Management Office (SMO), a portion of the Signatures, Sensors, and Signal Processing Technology Organization (S TO), the Advanced Systems Concepts Office (ASCO), the Army Institute for Research in Management Information Communications and Computer Sciences (AIRMICS), a portion of the Systems Research Laboratory (SRL), a portion of
6630-633: The MIMIC Program to the semiconductor industry in 1986, although funding for the program officially began in 1987. In 1988, the DoD transferred responsibility of the program from the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The MIMIC Program focused primarily on the advancement of gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology as well as its manufacturing processes within
SECTION 50
#17327987758526760-685: The Microwave and Millimeter Wave Monolithic Integrated Circuits (MIMIC) Program. The VHSIC Program, which began in March 1980 and ended in September 1990, advanced the production of state-of-the-art integrated circuit (IC) technology for military applications. This program served to accelerate the process of integrating new IC technology into weapon systems and close the growing disparity between commercial and military microelectronic products. The MIMIC Program, which took place from 1987 to 1995, advanced
6890-496: The Military Computer Science Branch of the Advanced Computational and Information Sciences Directorate (ACIS), the bulk of the Battlefield Environment Directorate (BED), and portions of EPSD to create the Information Science and Technology Directorate (IST). While the rest of EPSD became the Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD), the remainder of ACIS was reorganized into the Advanced Simulation and High-Performance Computing Directorate (ASHPC). BED's Atmospheric Analysis and Assessment team
7020-413: The Monolithic Millimeter and Microwave Initiative (M I) Committee in February 1985 to organize a DoD program on microwave and millimeter wave monolithic integrated circuits, or MIMICs. During its investigation, the M I Committee recognized the absence of a mature technology base for the production of MIMICs within the U.S. semiconductor industry. Reports identified gaps in the technology space and warned that
7150-1205: The Night Vision and Electro-Optics Laboratory (now part of DEVCOM C5ISR ), and missile technology and avionics with MICOM and the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command, respectively (both merged to form the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command ). In service of its mission, ETDL engaged in the following technology thrusts to guide its core programs: Millimeter-wave devices (35, 60, and 94 gigahertz) and pulsers for location and identification of targets through smoke and fog; high-speed signal processing devices to permit deep battlefield assessment, including identification and autonomous targeting from ground, airborne, and missile platforms; devices for compact, secure, and reliable command, control, communication, and navigation; lightweight and efficient portable power for designator and night-vision systems ; intelligent interactive displays for tactical operations; wide-band jamming devices and decoy components capable of operating from expendable and airborne platforms; pulse power sources for directed beam weapons and laser designators ; and small, low-cost, and reliable microelectronic modular assemblies for affordable systems. ETDL also placed significant emphasis on
7280-507: The Open Campus program prioritized the development of a sophisticated collaborative network that ARL could leverage to accelerate technology transfer. ARL's Open Campus initiative also facilitated the creation of the ARL regional sites, which established research outposts at strategic university campus locations across the continental United States. The ARL regional sites stationed Army research and development personnel close to local and regional universities, technical centers, and companies for
7410-447: The RDECs focused primarily on engineering development. The laboratories, which reported directly to LABCOM instead of AMC headquarters, were expected to work together to support the technological growth of the Army. As part of their duties, significant emphasis was placed on the pursuit of technology transfers and the sharing of information so that they could both exploit the advancements made by others and avoid duplication of research. ARO,
7540-442: The RDECs. As a result, ARL was commonly referred to as the Army's “corporate laboratory.” The architects behind ARL's formation envisioned that the cutting-edge scientific and engineering knowledge generated by the laboratory would provide the Army with the technological edge to surpass its competition. As acting director of ARL, Richard Vitali oversaw the integration of various Army elements into ARL. Even though his tenure lasted
7670-480: The Sensors, Signatures, Signal and Information Processing Directorate; the Advanced Computational and Information Sciences Directorate; the Battlefield Environment Directorate; the Vehicle Propulsion Directorate; the Vehicle Structures Directorate; the Weapons Technology Directorate; the Materials Directorate; the Human Research and Engineering Directorate; and the Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate. Other Army elements that ARL absorbed at its inception included
7800-422: The Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories before it was redesignated as the U.S. Army Signal Corps Research and Development Laboratory (ASCRDL) in 1958. That same year, the Institute for Exploratory Research was created to consolidate the ASCRDL's internal research efforts. In 1962, a major Army restructuring program caused the ASCRDL to become a subordinate element of the U.S. Army Electronics Command (ECOM) known as
7930-444: The U.S. Army Electronics Research and Development Laboratory. The lab was again renamed to the U.S. Army Electronics Laboratories in 1964 only to completely dissolve during the Army reorganization of 1965. On June 1, 1965, the U.S. Army Electronics Command (ECOM), a subordinate element of the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), made the decision to discontinue the operations of the U.S. Army Electronics Laboratories, which had adopted
SECTION 60
#17327987758528060-446: The U.S. Army Laboratory Command (LABCOM) to manage seven Army laboratories and an eighth research entity known as the Army Research Office (ARO). The seven laboratories assigned to LABCOM were the Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory , the Ballistic Research Laboratory , the Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory , the Harry Diamond Laboratories , the Human Engineering Laboratory , the Materiel and Mechanics Research Center (renamed
8190-436: The U.S. Army Materiel Command that specialized in the development and integration of critical electronic technologies, from high-frequency devices to tactical power sources, into Army systems. Located at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey , ETDL served as the U.S. Army's central laboratory for electronics research from 1971 to 1992. The Harry Diamond Laboratories was a research facility under the National Bureau of Standards and later
8320-418: The U.S. Army Research Laboratory following the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission in 1991. Under ARL, ETDL made up most of the Electronics and Power Sources Directorate, which eventually became part of the Physical Sciences Directorate in 1995 before migrating into the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate in 1996. The Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory’s primary mission pertained to
8450-421: The U.S. Army Research Laboratory on October 2, 1992 with Richard Vitali, the former LABCOM Director of Corporate Laboratories, as acting director and Colonel William J. Miller as deputy director. ARL was permanently established one month later on November 2, 1992. Having inherited LABCOM's primary mission, the newly established U.S. Army Research Laboratory was entrusted with conducting in-house research to equip
8580-421: The U.S. Army Research Laboratory was a product of a decades-long endeavor to address a critical issue facing the Army's independent research laboratories. Due to a surge of technological advancements set off by World War I and World War II , the early 20th century introduced major developments in the study and practice of warfare. The rapid growth and diversification of military science and technology precipitated
8710-466: The U.S. Army. Formerly known as the Diamond Ordnance Fuze Laboratories, the organization conducted research and development in electronic components and devices and was at one point the largest electronics research and development laboratory in the U.S. Army. HDL also acted as the Army's lead laboratory in nuclear survivability studies and operated the Aurora Pulsed Radiation Simulator , the world's largest full-threat gamma radiation simulator. The laboratory
8840-414: The U.S. manufacturing base for MIMICs faced serious threats of foreign competition if it did not evolve soon. One report by ETDL compared the capabilities of Japanese semiconductor companies to that of American companies and determined that no single U.S. company could compete in this field, much less act as a reliable supplier of leading-edge IC technology for the DoD. The DoD soon announced the creation of
8970-963: The United States that collaborate with nearby universities and businesses to advance the Army's scientific and technological goals. ARL West, located in Playa Vista, California , has technical focus areas in human-information interaction, cybersecurity , embedded processing, and intelligent systems. ARL Central, located in Chicago, Illinois , has technical focus areas in high performance computing , impact physics , machine learning and data analytics, materials and manufacturing, power and energy, propulsion science, and quantum science . ARL South, located in Austin, Texas , has technical focus areas in artificial intelligence and machine learning for autonomy, energy and power, cybersecurity, materials and manufacturing, and biology . ARL Northeast, located in Burlington, Massachusetts , has technical focus areas in materials and manufacturing, artificial intelligence and intelligent systems, and cybersecurity. ARL Mid-Atlantic,
9100-649: The United States: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland ; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina ; White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico ; Graces Quarters, Maryland; NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio ; and NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia . DEVCOM ARL also has the following five regional sites to facilitate partnerships with universities and industry in the surrounding area: ARL West in Playa Vista, California ; ARL Central in Chicago, Illinois ; ARL South in Austin, Texas ; ARL Mid-Atlantic in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; and ARL Northeast in Burlington, Massachusetts . The formation of
9230-498: The Vehicle Propulsion Directorate and the Vehicle Structures Directorate. SEN and PSD were merged to form the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD), and ASHPC became the Corporate Information and Computing Center (CICC). By 1997, ARL managed only five technical directorates (WMRD, IST, SEDD, HRED, and SLAD) and two centers (VTC and CICC). In 1998, ARL officially incorporated the Army Research Office (ARO) into its organization. Until this point, ARO had existed separately from
9360-506: The XH-59A ended in 1981. In 1982 it was proposed that the XH-59A be converted to the XH-59B configuration with advanced rotors, new powerplants (two GE T700s ), and a ducted pusher propeller at the tail. This proposed program did not proceed as Sikorsky refused to pay a share of the costs. Sikorsky and its partners funded the development of the next helicopters using the Advancing Blade Concept,
9490-654: The activities of three existing university centers of excellence: the Army High Performance Computing Research Center at the University of Minnesota , the Information Sciences Center at Clark Atlanta University , and the Institute for Advanced Technology at the University of Texas at Austin . ARL eventually discontinued the FedLab model in 2001 and adopted Collaborative Technology Alliances (CTAs) and Collaborative Research Alliances (CRAs) as successors to
9620-403: The advancement of GaAs IC technology through the MIMIC Program significantly expanded the capabilities of modern electronic systems in the commercial sector. Most notably, GaAs transistors greatly impacted the development of cellular phone technology during the 1990s. In 1992, the Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory was among the seven Army laboratories that were consolidated to form
9750-523: The auxiliary turbojets, it demonstrated a maximum level speed of 238 knots (441 km/h; 274 mph) and eventually a speed of 263 knots (487 km/h; 303 mph) in a shallow dive. At 180 knots (333 km/h; 207 mph) level flight, it could enter a 1.4 g bank turn with the rotor in autorotation , increasing rotor rpm. Airframe stress prevented rotor speed reduction and thus full flight envelope expansion. The XH-59A had high levels of vibration and fuel consumption. The 106-hour test program for
9880-565: The belief that establishing this foundation in industry would enable the efficient, affordable, and self-sustaining production of MIMICs for military applications. During the 1970s, ETDL was deeply involved in the research and development of microwave and millimeter-wave technology as well as their application in smart weapons. The laboratory managed a research thrust in low-cost millimeter-wave devices and nanosecond pulsers for target location and actively pursued monolithic technology based in GaAs. As
10010-415: The capabilities of modern electronics, the lack of commercial applications greatly discouraged companies from investing in the necessary infrastructure required to increase their yield and lower their costs. The MIMIC Program prioritized the creation of infrastructure that would facilitate the transition of GaAs research and development into a manufacturable production process. Program managers operated under
10140-611: The changes in the organization's acquisition and readiness practices. In January 1978, the U.S. Army discontinued ECOM and formally activated three major subordinate commands under DARCOM: the Communications and Electronics Materiel Readiness Command (CERCOM), the Communications Research and Development Command (CORADCOM), and the Electronics Research and Development Command (ERADCOM). As
10270-488: The creation of numerous research facilities by the U.S. Army to ensure that the country remained competitive on the international stage, especially as Cold War tensions reached new heights. The high demand for greater and more sophisticated military capabilities led to a proliferation of Army laboratories that not only advanced competing military interests but also operated in an independent fashion with minimal supervisory control or coordination from U.S. Army headquarters. By
10400-712: The development and transition of critical electronic technologies and devices into existing or future generation Army systems. As the Army’s central laboratory for electronics research, ETDL was responsible for developing almost 85 percent of all the electronic components that went into Army electronic systems. Much of its work focused on scientific and technological advancements in millimeter waves , microwaves , microelectronics , nanoelectronics , analog signal processing , frequency control , flat panel displays , tactical power sources, photonics , magnetics , superconductors , acoustic waves , and pulse power . In addition, ETDL provided support to Army combat systems by maintaining
10530-467: The development of silicon ICs, the MIMIC Program centered on the development of gallium arsenide ICs. Both programs emphasized the value of the IC, which quickly became a core component for signal processing in modern electronic systems. Instead of having many discrete semiconductor components make up a circuit, the IC embedded these components on a single semiconductor chip , which enabled significant reductions in size, weight, and cost. Having recognized
10660-399: The development of state-of-the-art microwave and millimeter-wave monolithic devices for military applications. This program focused on creating the infrastructure necessary for the DoD to pursue and realize innovations in IC technology that reduce the size and cost of military electronics used in smart munitions while improving their power and reliability. While the VHSIC Program centered on
10790-1149: The discovery and implementation of new materials for battlefield applications. Materials studied and applied to Army systems by the laboratory include the following: III-V compounds for millimeter-wave and microwave transceivers and high-speed integrated circuits; II-VI compounds for infrared and radiation detectors; magnetic compounds for miniature traveling-wave tubes and tunable filters; quartz crystal for stable oscillators and clocks; fused quartz for optical fibers ; intrinsic silicon for laser seekers and high-power switches; silicon for high-speed Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) technology; refractory metals for IC metallization; Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) materials for oscillators and convolvers; electroceramics for antennas and emitters; electro-optical materials for modulators and frequency converters; ferroelectric materials for phase shifters and uncooled detectors; radio frequency absorbers for composites and coatings; dielectric films for high-energy capacitors; and laser materials for pulsed lasers and continuous wave lasers. The Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory
10920-845: The duties of the Signal Corps Laboratories. The U.S. Army Electronics Laboratories was subsequently divided into six separate laboratories: the Electronic Components Laboratory, the Communications/ADP Laboratory, the Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory , the Electronic Warfare Laboratory (part of which later became the Vulnerability Assessment Laboratory ), the Avionics Laboratory, and the Combat Surveillance and Target Acquisition Laboratory. In 1971,
11050-468: The early 1960s, the Army recognized a significant flaw in this approach to pursuing in-house research and development. Competition for government funding led to fierce rivalries between the research facilities that ultimately eroded communication between the Army laboratories. Research installations began to prioritize the survival and longevity of their own operations over the overarching Army goals and engaged in turf disputes to protect their own interests. As
11180-431: The eighth element placed in LABCOM, retained its original functions of managing grants and contracts with individual scientists, academia, and nonprofit entities to promote basic research relevant to the U.S. Army. Despite the significant changes made to the structure of the command, none of the dispersed research facilities were physically relocated for the formation of LABCOM. Although centralized oversight addressed some of
11310-493: The entire process behind how U.S. industry provided new technologies to the military. In 1984, MICOM conducted follow-up studies that determined the majority of companies working in the field of millimeter integrated circuits expressed little interest in the development of relevant manufacturing processes for the technology. In response, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering established
11440-572: The former Ordnance Corps facilities became known as AMC laboratories and reported directly to AMC headquarters, the former Signal Corps facilities reported to a major subordinate command in AMC called the Electronics Command (ECOM). Although AMC had hoped that this arrangement would encourage research sharing and foster cooperation, the lack of progress on this issue prompted the U.S. Army to change its approach. In December 1973, Secretary of
11570-713: The four teams as the Army lead in the MIMIC Program. The first team, led jointly by the Martin Marietta Corporation and ITT Inc. , was composed of the Harris Corporation , Alpha Industries, Pacific Monolithic, and the Watkins-Johnson Company . The second team, led by TRW Inc. , was composed of General Dynamics , Honeywell , and the Hittite Microwave Corporation . After ETDL became an element of
11700-423: The front end of the radar system. The company concluded that adopting a fully integrated RF component design approach instead of relying on discrete components for the front end would reduce the number of parts and significantly lower costs. In order to make the introduction of monolithic millimeter and microwave integrated circuits possible, however, Sperry Microwave required a DoD investment of $ 8 to $ 10 million over
11830-575: The identity of the centralized laboratory began to take shape. Although the proposed centralized laboratory was originally referred to as the Combat Materiel Research Laboratory in the LAB-21 Study, the name was ultimately changed to the Army Research Laboratory. In addition, the Army decided to have a civilian director occupy the top management position with a general officer as deputy, as opposed to
11960-464: The laboratory's final extended campus location. On July 1, 2018, the Army formally established the U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC) as the Army's fourth major command alongside the U.S. Army Materiel Command , the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command , and the U.S. Army Forces Command . The reorganization came in response to criticisms from Secretary of the Army Mark Esper regarding
12090-592: The laboratory's intramural research and manages DEVCOM ARL's flagship research efforts. ARO executes the laboratory's extramural research programs in scientific disciplines tied to the laboratory's research competencies. ARO administers funding for Army-relevant research conducted at universities and businesses across the United States. Located at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, ARO engages in partnerships with members of academia and industry to promote high-risk yet high-payoff research in an effort to address
12220-475: The lack of unity among the laboratories. General Richard H. Thompson , the new Commanding General of AMC, proposed an initiative to consolidate and centralize the management of all the AMC laboratories under a single major subordinate command. This concept of a Laboratory Command was quickly adopted by the Army despite receiving unfavorable reviews that cited the likelihood of increased bureaucratic layering and overhead expenses. In July 1985, AMC officially activated
12350-418: The management problems that the Army sought to resolve, the geographic separation between the laboratories considerably hindered LABCOM's research synergy. To the Army's dismay, competition among the laboratories and duplicated research persisted. The idea behind a centralized Army laboratory for basic research emerged in response to U.S. military downsizing following the end of the Cold War. In December 1988,
12480-399: The money, time, and manpower to help the U.S. Army catch up to the rapid pace at which commercial wireless devices were evolving, much less incorporate the newest advancements into military applications. The Army determined that the solution was to join ARL's in-house capabilities with those of commercial businesses and university laboratories. This decision led to the transformation of ARL into
12610-563: The newest regional site in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, has technical focus areas in high-performance computing, autonomous systems, human-agent teaming, cybersecurity, materials and manufacturing, power and energy, extreme materials, and quantum systems. A University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) is a university-led collaboration among universities, industry, and Army laboratories that serve to strengthen and maintain technological capabilities that are important to
12740-527: The newly created U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL). The Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory was one of the many laboratories that materialized following the dissolution of the Signal Corps Laboratories (SCL) . Throughout its history, the SCL was given various different names as it underwent numerous restructuring efforts by the U.S. Army. By the early 1950s, the SCL was known as
12870-410: The operation of the laboratories. Based on their guidance, implementation of the laboratory consolidation plan was delayed to January 1992. The Federal Advisory Commission also communicated that, in order to address the laboratories’ deep-rooted competition problem, the centralized laboratory should be free from financial pressure and should not have to compete for research funds. As planning continued,
13000-438: The original plan of having a major general serve as a military commander alongside a civilian technical director. In accordance with the requirements established by BRAC 91, the Army discontinued LABCOM and provisionally established the U.S. Army Research Laboratory on July 23, 1992. The seven LABCOM laboratories were subsequently consolidated to form ARL's 10 technical directorates: the Electronics and Power Sources Directorate;
13130-532: The other former LABCOM elements. As a part of this change, ARO's director became the ARL deputy director for basic research. Following Lyons’ retirement in September 1998, Robert Whalin, the former director of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station , was assigned as ARL's second director in December 1998. Shortly thereafter, the Corporate Information and Computing Center
13260-486: The process behind how the Army developed technology for its troops. Believing that AMC did not deliver its products to the desired recipients quickly enough, Kern directed the unification of all of AMC's laboratories and RDECs under one command in order to foster synergy. In October 2002, he created the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) to consolidate these research facilities under one command structure. The Army officially established RDECOM as
13390-448: The program placed a high priority on restoring the capability of the U.S. semiconductor industry to deliver the most advanced military ICs to the DoD. The VHSIC Program, coordinating with a high degree of cooperation among the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force, facilitated partnerships with leaders in the semiconductor industry from 1980 to 1990 to design, manufacture, and implement highly advanced silicon ICs in military systems. Given
13520-618: The purposes of developing partnerships and fostering interest in Army-relevant research. The first regional site, ARL West, was established in Playa Vista, California , on April 13, 2016. Its placement at the University of Southern California ’s Institute for Creative Technologies reflected the laboratory's goals to collaborate with organizations located in and around the Los Angeles region. The second regional site, ARL South,
13650-427: The reconfiguration of ARL as an open laboratory in order to increase the number of staff exchanges. These changes, which made ARL resemble NIST, were endorsed by AMC Commander General Jimmy D. Ross in December 1993. Around the same time, the Under Secretary of Defense chartered a task force on defense laboratory management, which recommended a change in approach to ARL's operations in 1994. This recommendation came as
13780-565: The research facilities contributed to a lack of responsiveness in addressing the Army's modern, mission-oriented needs. The advisory committee recommended separating the development of communications and automatic data processing from the development of electronic warfare capabilities. Following the guidance given by AMARC, AMC redesignated itself as the Material Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM) in January 1976 to reflect
13910-471: The semiconductor industry. As early as the 1970s, gallium arsenide attracted attention in industry as a promising alternative to silicon after GaAs semiconductor components exhibited relatively high performance levels. By the early 1980s, GaAs MMICs, or Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits , demonstrated attractive qualities, but their high variability in material characteristics and design across industry made their performance inconsistent and unreliable. At
14040-446: The slow speed of Army technology development, testing, and fielding. The formation of AFC served to consolidate the Army's modernization efforts under a single command. As a result, the Army transitioned RDECOM from AMC to AFC on February 3, 2019, and renamed it to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC). Although ARL retained its position as an element of CCDC during this transition, one of ARL's directorates, SLAD,
14170-579: The sole major subordinate command responsible for the Army's combat electronics materiel, ERADCOM handled the development of all noncommunications and nonautomatic data-processing electronics materiel for the Army. Elements that constituted ERADCOM included the Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory , the Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory , the Electronic Warfare Laboratory, and the Harry Diamond Laboratories . In 1981, duplication of effort between CERCOM and CORADCOM led DARCOM to combine
14300-952: The termination of the FedLabs model in 2001, DEVCOM ARL continued to collaborate with private industry and academia through Collaborative Technology Alliances (CTAs) and Collaborative Research Alliances (CRAs). CTAs represent partnerships that focus on the rapid transition of new innovations and technologies found in academia to the U.S. manufacturing base through cooperation with private industry. CRAs represent partnerships that seek to further develop innovative science and technology in academia that pertains to Army interests. The laboratory also engaged in International Technology Alliances (ITAs) that facilitate collaborations for research and development with foreign government entities alongside academia and private industry. Located at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico,
14430-608: The time, the U.S. semiconductor industry still viewed GaAs as a research-grade material, and the fabrication of GaAs circuits took place in laboratories rather than production lines. As a result, GaAs devices faced limited automated testing capabilities, computer-aided design capabilities, and packaging options. Since the development and production of GaAs MMICs entailed considerable financial costs, most companies elected to produce discrete GaAs components to enhance hybridized microwave and millimeter-wave solid-state circuits. Even though GaAs MMICs demonstrated potential to significantly augment
14560-434: The total IC market sales, and the DoD’s access to the latest IC designs and advancements had significantly eroded. The lengthy process of qualifying commercial IC technology further delayed their integration into military systems, which resulted in a gap between the commercial introduction of new innovations and their appearance in DoD systems. The semiconductor industry introduced new IC designs and production techniques at such
14690-465: The transition of existing LABCOM research and development activities into a new environment. Despite the relocation of Army personnel from different research facilities across the country, ARL's first year of operation witnessed the continuation of ongoing LABCOM research without significant setbacks. Lines of effort conducted by ARL that year included the Warrior's Edge virtual reality simulation program,
14820-561: The two major subordinate commands to create the Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM). Not long after DARCOM carried out its reorganization, however, the Army launched another review that scrutinized its structure, indicating that the changes failed to resolve the existing issues. DARCOM later changed its name back to AMC in August 1984. In 1984, the U.S. Army initiated a different strategy to address
14950-555: The urgency of the situation, the program was labeled as one of the highest priority technology programs in the DoD at the time. ETDL served as the Army’s lead laboratory and principal manager for the VHSIC Program. One of its main responsibilities pertained to in-house testing and evaluation of VHSIC technology. During the program, six prime contractors— Honeywell, Inc. , Texas Instruments, Inc. , TRW Inc. , IBM Corporation , Hughes Aircraft Company , and Westinghouse Electric Corporation —developed advanced microchip components to upgrade
15080-419: The vulnerability of Army weapons and electronic communication systems to hostile electronic warfare as well as coordinating missile electronic countermeasure efforts for the U.S. Army. 39°01′47″N 76°57′53″W / 39.0296°N 76.9647°W / 39.0296; -76.9647 Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory The Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory ( ETDL )
15210-458: Was a research facility under the U.S. Army Materiel Command that specialized in developing and integrating critical electronic technologies, from high frequency devices to tactical power sources, into Army systems. Located at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey , ETDL served as the U.S. Army’s central laboratory for electronics research from 1971 to 1992. In 1992, ETDL was disestablished, and the majority of its operations and personnel were incorporated into
15340-597: Was a research facility under the U.S. Army Materiel Command that specialized in metallurgy and materials science and engineering for ordnance and other military purposes. Located in Watertown, Massachusetts , MTL was originally known as the Watertown Arsenal Laboratories and represented one of many laboratory buildings erected at Watertown Arsenal. WAL was renamed the Army Materials Research Agency (AMRA) in 1962 and then
15470-515: Was able to produce VHSIC devices planned for smart missiles, electronic warfare technology, radar, electro-optics, and battlefield information systems. The initiatives behind the MIMIC Program emerged following deliberations within the DoD surrounding the production of a new missile guidance system for the Army’s Multiple Launch Rocket System Terminal Guidance Warhead program. During the early 1970s,
15600-822: Was also transitioned into the Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate (SLAD). In 1996, ARL underwent further restructuring in response to calls by the U.S. Army to decrease the number of directorates. The laboratory formed the Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD) by combining the Weapons Technology Directorate and the Materials Directorate. It also created the Vehicle Technology Center (VTC) by combining
15730-622: Was established in Austin, Texas , on November 16, 2016. Its placement at the University of Texas at Austin ’s J.J. Pickle Research Center reflected the laboratory's goals to partner with organizations in Texas as well as surrounding areas in New Mexico , Louisiana , and Oklahoma . The third regional site, ARL Central, was established in Chicago, Illinois , on November 10, 2017. Its placement at
15860-413: Was established in 1992 to unify the activities of the seven corporate laboratories of the U.S. Army Laboratory Command (LABCOM) as well as consolidate other Army research elements to form a centralized laboratory. The seven corporate laboratories that merged were the Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory (ASL), the Ballistic Research Laboratory (BRL), the Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory (ETDL),
15990-410: Was established, the term “laboratories” became reserved exclusively for the research facilities under LABCOM. The research facilities that did not transfer to LABCOM became known as Research, Development, and Engineering Centers (RDECs). This naming distinction highlighted a major shift in the roles that both groups adopted. As part of the change, the laboratories took charge of AMC's basic research, while
16120-423: Was involved in the developing or testing of the following technologies: Over the course of its history, ETDL also became known for its role in the advancement of numerous military electronic systems including the following: the first automatic assembly of printed circuit boards ; the first ultra-stable crystal oscillators for secure radios, stable airborne radars, and Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) systems;
16250-567: Was lagging behind those in commercial systems by at least 10 years. The VHSIC Program served to not only address the deficiencies present in the DoD related to IC procurement and integration but also close the 10-year gap between commercial and military microelectronic systems. In service of these goals, the VHSIC Program engaged in the development of new materials, new circuit design concepts, advanced fabrication processes, new manufacturing equipment, higher levels of radiation hardening, and new data interface standards and specifications. Importantly,
16380-608: Was most notably known for its work on the proximity fuze . The Human Engineering Laboratory was a research facility under the U.S. Army Materiel Command that specialized in human performance research, human factors engineering , robotics, and human-in-the-loop technology. Located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, HEL acted as the Army's lead laboratory for human factors and ergonomics research from 1951 to 1992. Researchers at HEL investigated methods to maximize combat effectiveness, improve weapons and equipment designs, and reduce operation costs and errors. The Materials Technology Laboratory
16510-724: Was moved out of the laboratory and integrated into the newly established Data & Analysis Center under CCDC. The “CCDC” designation was also appended in front of the names of the eight research facilities assigned to the new major subordinate command: CCDC Armaments Center , CCDC Aviation & Missile Center , CCDC Army Research Laboratory, CCDC Chemical Biological Center , CCDC C5ISR , CCDC Data & Analysis Center, CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center , and CCDC Soldier Center . In 2020, CCDC changed its abbreviation to DEVCOM, resulting in CCDC ARL becoming DEVCOM ARL. In 2022, DEVCOM ARL discontinued its technical directorates and adopted
16640-626: Was renamed to the Corporate Information and Computing Directorate, and the Vehicle Technology Center was renamed to the Vehicle Technology Directorate. In May 2000, ARL combined the Information Science and Technology Directorate and the Corporate Information and Computing Directorate to form the Computational and Information Sciences Directorate (CISD). With this change, ARL administered, in total,
16770-427: Was then converted into a wind tunnel testbed, which was tested in the NASA Ames Research Center 40x80 feet full-scale wind tunnel in 1979. A second airframe was completed (73-21942) which first flew on July 21, 1975. After initial testing as a pure helicopter, two auxiliary turbojets were added in March 1977. As a helicopter, the XH-59A demonstrated a maximum level speed of 156 knots (289 km/h; 180 mph), but with
16900-514: Was thus eliminated. This system did not require a wing to be fitted for high speeds and to improve maneuverability, and also eliminated the need for an anti-torque rotor at the tail. Forward thrust was provided by two turbojets, which allowed the main rotor to only be required to provide lift. It was found to have good hover stability against crosswind and tailwind. With jets installed, it lacked power to hover out of ground effect and used short take-off and landing for safety reasons. Airframe 73-21941
#851148