Army Aircraft Icing
9
lize the UAV's flight (Nascimento 2000). In addition, UAVs, as do all fixed-
wing aircraft, generally descend more slowly than they climb out, thus exposing
them to extended periods of icing during an aerodynamically critical phase of
flight.
Aviation Ground Support Equipment User's Conference (AGSEUC)
The AGSEUC provided little new information about how Army aviation
combats icing. A CRREL presentation brought little comment except that icing
was a problem and work was encouraged in that area. Two types of deicing
hardware were on display at the conference: the Buddy Start deicing nozzle and
the Aircraft Cleaning and Deicing System (ACDS). The ACDS, which washes
and deices aircraft, consists of a heated spray and recovery system, and a con-
tainment mat.
Directorate of MEDEVAC Proponency, Fort Rucker
The MEDEVAC component of a search-and-rescue task force has a unique
on-board medical capability. MEDEVAC aircraft do not conduct combat search
and rescue. Whether there are MEDEVAC flights in icing conditions depends on
the restrictions placed on the airframe by the aircraft's operator's manual
(referred to as the "dash 10" technical manual). In accordance with Technical
Manual 1-1520-237-10 (U.S. Army 2001) for UH-60A, UL-60L, and EH-60A
helicopters, these aircraft are permitted to fly into trace or light icing conditions
if the following equipment is installed and operational: windshield anti-ice, pitot
heat, engine anti-ice, engine inlet anti-ice modulating valve, and insulated
ambient air sensing tube. Flight into light icing conditions, however, is not
recommended without the blade deice kit. Flight into moderate icing requires that
all the above cited equipment be installed and operational. Flight into heavy or
severe icing is prohibited. Helicopters equipped with a blade erosion kit are
prohibited from flight into icing conditions.
PEO Robotics, Redstone Arsenal
An electroexpulsive deicing system for the wings and tail of the Hunter UAV
is being developed. Numerical modeling of ice accretion on the Hunter leading
edge was conducted by CRREL, and a wing section with deicing system installed
has been tested in an icing wind tunnel.
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