Saw sand shield on UH-60L today

I personally haven't seen them, but it sounds to me like they are EAPS (Engine Air Particle Separators).

Could be that they are now installing them on 60s? I know the 47s have them, but they are round.

I did a quick search and it looks like Eaton Aerospace won a contract to provide 60s with particle separators, but no pics.

Gino - you're stationed out at Ft. Irwin?? You poor thing. I was out there at NTC back in Aug. '92 doing the wargame thing and i kept thinking to myself how i pitied anyone who got stationed there. We used to run onto the base a lot to hit the Burger King......MRE's and Raman Noodles got old after a while.

When I was in the A.F., I flew for a while on the 60's. The particle seperator isn't visible from the exterior of the aircraft. I'm not real sure just what you saw, but perhaps they are there to deflect large FOD.

Could they be laser or ir target recievers? Or maybe an attempt to make them look like enemy birds?

QUOTE: Originally posted by cmotz Could they be laser or ir target recievers? Or maybe an attempt to make them look like enemy birds?

No, it was not an OPFOR (Enemy) bird. They use hueys that are painted and modified to look like Hind-Ds. It was not part of the MILES laser engagement system either. It was a standard UH-60 with boxes in front of the engine intakes that had a screening on the front of the boxes.

The National Guard hangar (brand new! Its wicked nice) near me is serving as the upgrade facility for ARNG & USAR hawks heading for the sandbox.

Its not EAPS in the traditional sense, but rather, its a kinda crazy looking box with some thick cartridge filters that remind me of the flat automotive air filters (but a lot bigger). The whole thing is held on by some new kind of bracket and a couple torque tubes with rod-end bearings and poppet pins, etc. It looks sorta Rube Goldberg-ish up close. Apparantly it will easily open and pivot out of the way for preflight.

They're also putting applique armor inside, probably some kind of composite/ceramic laminate. On the floors and on the sides where the door gunners would sit. Cockpit floors, too.

I'll see if I can get some pics. My new camera is in the shop, though.

Darin

Sounds like what it is. Thanks, thought it was interresting. Now it makes sense, it is a LA NG unit out here training now.

I have never seen the boxes on the inlets, but I know that the armor that Darin is refering to is Kevlar matting that is secured to the floor using exsisting hardware points on the floor. It is somewhat lighter thaN BASS, but looks similar.

Mac

Hello gentlemen. You have my curiosity and attention raised with this subject. I am currently in the "sandbox" and fly the -60. We have been screaming for an IPS or some other attatchment to prolong the life of our GE's especially against the ingestion of birds (the last members of the iraqi airf orce still able to fly). So far we have been told nothing exists or is in development. Then I see your posting here and realize if you want intel on military aircraft go find a modeller for the latest. If anyone finds or hears more please pass it on here so we can possibly apply it to the real world.

QUOTE: Originally posted by privateer17 ...So far we have been told nothing exists or is in development. Then I see your posting here and realize if you want intel on military aircraft go find a modeller for the latest...

Folks, that's the quote of the week right there.

Privateer17, welcome to the forums. Stay safe and hope ya'll get to come home soon

There's one with the filters installed out at Lubbock Airport right now. Gonna see if I can get some pics of it tomorrow when I head out to the museum!

Engine inlet filters are showing up in theater now. I am still having serious issues with uploading pics from here, but I am trying to get plenty of reference photos while I have the chance and I will make them available as soon as I can. Crews that I have talked to say they don't seem to reduce performance too much but, for those who have done it, they tell me that it now takes an hour to remove an inlet.

Keep the dirty side down sir!!!
Mac