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Guest 92T0Jackal
Posted

I was reading about the NH-90 and came across this TTH-90 info on globalsecurity

6th paragraph down:

"Other features include weather radar, digital map, Obstacle Warning System, cable cutters , armoured pilot seats, defensive weapons suite, passive and active measures against the threat..."

So Im thinking 'cable' as in a rescue cable lifting a person into the aircraft, and the necessary 'cutter' if something goes wrong or the helo becomes stuck on something below and needs cut away the cable.

I look in a magazine with a picture of an MRH-90 and hook like blade labeled "cable cutters" above the windscreen and below the rotors, Im thinking WTF these are anti-powerline or something?!

IMG_0246.jpg

Sorry its blurry, it looked clear in my hungover eyes.

Rotorhead? Heloguy? Help me out here...

Guest Hydro130
Posted

Big picture, those devices cut power lines when crews are unfortunate enough to be that close, for whatever reason.

They will literally cut cables as the helo flies through them (ouch).

They are intended to prevent massive main-rotor damage (and inevitable subsequent Class A) due entanglement.

No idea on the ACTUAL effectiveness of this system...

When able, there are "cable cutters" on both the top and bottom of the fuselage (skid/gear/other crap -dependent).

Cheers, Hydro

[ 12. February 2006, 22:13: Message edited by: Hydro130 ]

Guest 92T0Jackal
Posted

Holy Sh!T!!!

Originally posted by Hydro130:

No idea on the ACTUAL effectiveness of this system...

Are there any stories out there about this helping a crew?

Thanks Hydro

Posted

I used to refuel NJ State Police helicopters (S-76Bs), and they all had the cable cutters. Never heard of an ops check though.

Guest 92T0Jackal
Posted

Hydro

At this point Im pretty much dumber then everyone here so I take all the input I can! [sTS]

**Edited for homophobia**

[ 12. February 2006, 18:05: Message edited by: Carnal ]

Guest KoolKat
Posted

From Helis.com's FAQ section:

On some helicopters there is a long, forward-angled protuberance mounted just above the front windshield and below the rotor. Can you tell me what this thing is?

h58_2.jpg

It's a wire cutter. It's designed so that if you hit a wire or cable you cut the wire. It's a safety feature designed to provide some protection from wires or cables when flying at very low altitude. Of course, to be effective, you must hit the wire at exactly the right height

Guest 92T0Jackal
Posted

My google powers are not yet honed...

thanks Bendy

Guest Hydro130
Posted

Gotta love that "Little Bird". Yeah baby!

Cheers, Hydro

[ 12. February 2006, 18:22: Message edited by: Hydro130 ]

Posted

Those devices are called WSPS; or Wire Strike Protection System. The entire system protects over 90% of the frontal profile of the helicopter. Part of the system is the reinforcing structure inside the nose of the aircraft, another part is a sort of saw-toothed spine installed on the outside of the center post of the windscreen. Some installations have little beams sticking up from the toes of the skids, in case the wire hits low, it will get deflected under the skids rather than getting caught in the crosstubes. The manufacturer's claim that they will cut a cable a bit thicker than the thickness of your thumb, but I'm skeptical. I know guys that have nailed wires low level at night, and these things work.

Awol

Guest thebronze
Posted
Gotta love that "Little Bird". Yeah baby!
If you were referring to the pic that Bender posted, that isn't a "Little Bird" it's an Armed Kiowa (or Kiowa Warrior). A Little Bird is a AH/MH-6 (derivative of an MD-500).

FYI...

Posted

Not that I know shit about helicopters (besides the Jesus Nut), but the Army UH-1s that I used to catch rides on had the same cable cutting device above the canopy as well. Not a rare item on a helo, if I am not mistaken; but we have a few experts on here that I am sure will pipe in...

Cheers! M2

Guest rotorhead
Posted

Instead of a single/two large cutters, the Pave Hawk has and integrated system of many cutters and well as deflectors. The deflectors are "bumpers" or "guides" that deflect cables from hanging up on things like landing gear, windshield wipers, temperature probes, pitot tubes, etc. etc. The deflected cable then goes to the cutter(s). They have saved the lives of many helicopter crews, including at least one USAF Pave Hawk crew in recent years. Look at the various cutters and deflectors in the photo at:

https://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/pho...F-6911G-004.jpg

You may have had instances in your flying career that gave you chills (usually minutes following the event). You will NEVER forget your first "DON'T CLIMB" call...as uncharted cable pass OVER you. Staining event.

Guest Hydro130
Posted

I stand corrected on the "Little Bird" issue. I've said it before, but I'm a student to this day still...

I always thought / been told the "Killer Kiowa" was the "Little Bird" (perhaps because we could squish two of 'em in a Herk), but I didn't do any homework to confirm prior to running my yap-trap... My bad.

@ss accepted as mine own has been handed to me... Learn something new every day, or die trying!

Uggggh, now where're my wallet & keys? Hmmmmm...

Hydro

[ 13. February 2006, 20:33: Message edited by: Hydro130 ]

Guest LLoyd McPherson
Posted

Rotorhead and Bendy,

If that wire cutter is on the airframe inside of the rotor dia., it would seem to me that the blades would encounter the wires/cables first and the cable cutters would be second. This does not seem like a good thing :confused:

Guest KoolKat
Posted

Big sky theory, I guess.

I imagine it is possible for the wire to pass above the cutter and get into the rotor blade anyway...but unless you were really hauling ass fowards, there is much more fuselage for a wire to get deflected up (or down as the case maybe) onto the cutter prior to making it to the rotors or other snaring structure.

I'm not a helo guy, I don't play one on TV, and I slept in my own bed last night.

Perhaps Rotorhead will add to this since I have no idea what I'm talking about...again.

BENDY

Posted

On the Huey we have a WSPS on the bottom of the front nose as well as the top center area of the front windshield. Assuming you're flying towards the wires above or below the botton and top WSPS's, the wire will (should) still be cut. I believe in the Army they still teach their students how to fly below powerlines since they also fly NOE.

[ 14. February 2006, 03:37: Message edited by: HeloDude ]

Guest croftfam
Posted
Originally posted by Stagger Lee:

Rotorhead and Bendy,

If that wire cutter is on the airframe inside of the rotor dia., it would seem to me that the blades would encounter the wires/cables first and the cable cutters would be second. This does not seem like a good thing :confused:

Our rotor systems are not fixed in the plane that you see them while on the ground. As Bender said, you really have to be hauling to have the tip path make contact before the fuselage. Unlike the french videos of low altitude flying, it is unrealistic to be flying that fast at night, so the blades aren't going to be in a position to contact generally. We don't fly that fast because, if you've never tried before, try seeing a set of wires in a forested, hilly area on a night with an over cast sky and no moon. You don't see them until it's too late, hence the WSPS.

First time I about stained my pants, nobody saw the wires until we were right at them. I happened to see them as they passed under the probe, I pulled in an armfull of collective as the gunner screamed for me to climb.

I believe in the Army they still teach their students how to fly below powerlines since they also fly NOE.
We never fly that low... ;)
Guest LLoyd McPherson
Posted

Thanks for the info Heloguy, back in the day I was in rescue as a crewchief on HC-130 p/n. I was with the 67th ARRS, 67 SOMS, then 67 SOS, and the chopper unit with us was the 21st flying the 53 pave low. We were based at RAF Woodbridge, best assignment ever. That was from early 86 to 91, best mission I have ever had. For a DCC it was best job in the Air Force, a lot more fun that crewing 16's. To all you rescues folks out there have cold frosty : 'cause you earned it.

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