Phyre Technologies has successfully completed the prototype testing and demonstration phase of its green on-board inert gas generating system (GOBIGGS).
The system is being developed as part of a contract awarded by Sikorsky Aircraft in 2012 for use in the US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk multi-mission helicopter.
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Undertaken in collaboration with Sikorsky, the US Army Aviation Development Directorate – Aviation Applied Technology Directorate and the Army Research Laboratory, the testing demonstrated the GOBIGGS’s capability to rapidly inert fuel tank ullage below flammable levels.
Phyre chairman Santosh Limaye said: "This TRL six demonstration unit is the culmination of years of development and testing.
"As a small company, we are honoured to be working closely with Sikorsky, ADD-AATD and ARL team members to design and build a system to improve the safety of the warfighter."
GOBIGGS is a catalytic-based, environmentally-friendly fuel tank inerting system designed to enhance UH-60’s survivability during forward deployed operations by considerably lowering the fuel tank’s vulnerability to an explosion.
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By GlobalDataEliminating the requirement for bleed air from engines, the system is capable of reducing oxygen levels below 12% for commercial aircraft and 9% for military aircraft, with minimal operational impact.
The system can keep the fuel tank non-flammable across the flight profile, including ground, taxi, take-off, cruise and descent, as well as landing missions. It is also cost-effective compared with the existing OBIGGS technology.
The GOBIGGS development contract was awarded under the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate’s combat-tempered platform demonstration programme.
Powered by two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines, the UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, medium-lift utility helicopter designed to conduct troop transport, medical evacuation, electronic warfare attack and assault support, as well as search and rescue missions.
Image: Phyre Technologies has developed the GOBIGGS for the US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Photo: courtesy of SSGT SUZANNE M. JENKINS, USAF.
