The United States Army Aviation Engineering Flight Activity conducted an Airworthiness and Instrument Flight Characteristics evaluation of a Production AH-1S (Prod) to determine potential for the AH-1S with Enhanced Cobra Armament System (ECAS) to meet instrument meteorological conditions qualification criteria. The test aircraft was configured with two tube launched, optically tracked, wireguided (TOW) missile launchers on each outboard wing stores station and a 7-tube lightweight launcher on each inboard wing stores station. The test consisted of 16.3 flight hours which were flown during 12 test flights. Four deficiencies and seven shortcomings associated with flying the AH-1S in instrument flight conditions, were identified. The deficiencies identified were: (1) Unsatisfactory cyclic control system mechanical characteristics; (2) large pitot-static system airspeed errors in climb and descent; (3) Easily excited lateral gust response; (4) Vertigo-inducing location of radio control panels. Five specification noncompliances were noted. The AH-1S (Prod) is not suitable for flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which infers tht the AH-1S (ECAS) will also not be suitable. (Author)


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