More than 100 U.S. Army OH-58D Kiowa Warriors and AH/MH-6J Special Operations Little Birds equipped with a new patented engine filtration system from Aerospace Filtration Systems (AFS) were combat deployed for the first time in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The new AFS systems are the only helicopter main engine barrier filtration systems to be fully qualified and currently in service by the U.S. military on primary combat helicopters.

Dust and sand have always wreaked havoc with helicopter engines. Previous desert combat operations have shown that inlet particle separators sap power and do not effectively filter fine sand and dust. New-generation, high-technology engines require clean filtered air to protect the compressor and the vulnerable hot section to deliver peak performance while maintaining power and protecting secondary components.

“The capability to operate helicopters in the heavy airborne sand and dust environments without unscheduled engine maintenance has proven the value of our barrier filtration systems,” said Mike Scimone, technical director of AFS.

Previously deployed aviation units would eat up engines in the desert and spares on hand, and the cost associated with replacing and overhauling these engines and components was a significant impact to unit operating budgets, Scimone explained. “It’s more economical to equip the helicopters with filter systems than to swap out engines, especially in a combat theater. Helicopters equipped with AFS filter systems experienced zero engine removals due to erosion (unlike particle separator equipped engines) and the AFS filter systems are performing flawlessly.”

Bell Helicopter Textron in 2000 selected AFS to design, develop and produce an Engine Barrier Filter (EBF) for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter. To date, more than 185 Kiowa Warriors have been equipped with the AFS filter system. The systems are being installed on the Bell assembly line and in the field by the U.S. Army, including at sites within the Iraqi theater. The entire OH-58D fleet is scheduled to receive the EBF upgrade (+350 helicopters). The AH/MH-6Js (militarized MD 530F) are equipped with AFS’s commercially certified MD 500 IBF system and all new AH/MH-6M (Mission Enhanced Little Bird, or MELB) helicopters are equipped with the system direct from the modification production line.

In addition to filtering out more than 99 percent of dirt and sand, AFS filters actually enhance engine performance when compared to inlet particle separators, delivering more useful load, more engine temperature margin, and a greater margin of safety. Other benefits include reduced operating and overhaul costs and reduced engine operating temperatures for increased engine life.

AFS also produces high-performance Inlet Barrier Filtration systems for the MD 500 Series of helicopters and is completing a certification program for Bell 407 and 206L3/4 helicopters. In all, AFS has delivered more than 300 systems and 2,000 filters to military and commercial customers worldwide.

“Our products are desert-proven, combat-proven and U.S. Army-proven,” Scimone said. “AFS is proud to help protect the equipment of those who are protecting us.”

AFS, a division of Westar Corporation, is an industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of high-performance engine inlet barrier filtration systems for commercial and military propulsion systems.

For more information, contact:

Mike Scimone,
President
(636) 300-5288
scimone@afsfilters.com

or visit

www.afsfilters.com