TH-6B
The TH-6B (a Navy derivative of the MD-369H) program consists of six McDonnell Douglas TH-6B
Conversion-in-Lieu-of-Procurement aircraft used as an integral part of the United States Naval Test
Pilot School’s test pilot training syllabus. The aircraft and associated instrumentation and avionics are
used for the in-flight instruction and demonstration of flying qualities, performance and missions systems
flight test techniques. Each aircraft will fly an average of 150 hours per year. The USNTPS plans to
utilize the TH-6B indefinitely.
The program office obtains sustaining engineering services from the Original Equipment Manufacturer
(OEM), McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems (MDHS). MDHS developed the TH-6B configuration
of the USNTPS aircraft, and provides technical information necessary to achieve the aircraft’s
programmed service life and readiness rate, aircraft modification engineering and associated FAA
certification efforts, and access to customer support and OEM publication services. All modifications will
comply with the proven approach used in the FAA system. The aircraft are being operated by the
military, and are maintained iaw FAA/commercial processes. To ensure aircraft reliability, the OEM
inspected each aircraft and issued a Statement of Conformance certifying their conformance to the
TH-6B configuration. Aircraft modification efforts are "turnkey" projects (procurement and installation)
implemented as part of competitively awarded maintenance contracts. Where extensive integration
efforts are required, the non-recurring engineering phase, including test and certification, is typically
performed by MDHS under a sole-source engineering contract with the Navy.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/th-6.htm
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Updated Thursday, December 24, 1998 8:13:37 AM
