Airhead Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 I was watching something with Apaches and noticed an odd device on it....I am sure someone here can explain it to me. There is one on each side and it looks like a circular thing hanging on a stick. It is mid fuselage, coming out near the top of the engine shroud and sticks out about a foot and then has the hanging down part. They move around independently and look like an attitude or air vector sensor of some kind. It isn't on all Apaches, I am guessing an add on system I have also seen it on other aircraft like the cobra. Thanks http://www.militair.net/images/wapens/helikopters/AH-64%20Apache%20longbow%20apache.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cantankerously Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 I'm not an Army pilot but I understand that these are low-speed airspeed sensors to help with the launching of ordinance. I could be wrong though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotdogs Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Looks similar to the Zulu. It's a low airspeed air data system and its part of the weapons ballistic delivery computer for weak links who don't know how to shoot without a computer. Like most Apache pilots. Seriously though, my friends who are now flying Zulus can do some pretty amazing things with it compared to what the Whiskey can do off of some chart and graphs. For people who are interested in weapons delivery ballastics there are things that happen internally and externally to a rocket, round or missile as it is fired down the tube or barrel, whether it's spin stabilized, fin stabilized, or both and then also during flight and on impact with a target. This computer takes things like airspeed, collective/cyclic movement, relative wind, air density, rotation of the earth, and probably a sh*t ton of other things to spit out a formula to put a round on target with minimal CEP. *Edited a ton for clarity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperGumby Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 If it kinda looks like this: On the Apache, in conjunction with other systems, it also helps with flight controls/stabilization and determines where the aircraft is going besides helping with weapon delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 I just spin that thing around during pre flight for good luck. Who would have thought. But yes, what they said. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamer Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 its similar to a pitot. basically what was mentioned already. both weapons and flight control function. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhead Posted June 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Cool, thanks for the info Is there an official name for it? *edit* I think I found it: LORAS (Low Range Airspeed Sensor) http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/publications/2550/DSTO-TN-0495.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akscott60 Posted June 12, 2013 Report Share Posted June 12, 2013 Pffff. Just use a grease pencil mark on the windshield. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64wannabe Posted June 12, 2013 Report Share Posted June 12, 2013 http://www.meggitt-avionics.co.uk/PDF/HADS.PDF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.