GE Aviation has upgraded its Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System/Aviation Vibration Analyser (RADS/AVA) product line in rotor track and balance (RT&B) operations for civil and military operators such as the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the US Army.

“The RADS/AVA upgrade provides an intuitive graphical user interface and enhancements allowing users the ability to rapidly customise proposed adjustments and evaluate their effect,” says product director, connected aircraft Steve Schoonveld. “The high degree of performance and measurement accuracy means completing the rotor track and balance operations while minimising the number of flights, saving operators money by reducing flight time, pilot time and fuel.”

The RADS/AVA builds on more than 30 years of reliability as the original RT&B solution with the flexibility to service all major helicopter models and complete diagnostics in fewer flights, now with a faster, easier-to-use interface.

As the industry standard for RT&B and standard equipment for the US Army and the UK MoD, the system is configurable with various types of aircraft. The upgrade is compatible with all existing RADS applications. The new solution consists of a compact data acquisition unit (DAU) and a powerful new user-friendly experience.

RADS/AVA is GE's portable vibration solution for vehicles where permanent installation is not practical or existing systems lack the ability to provide flexible solutions. Approximately 5,000 RADS/AVA units have been supplied supporting civil and military rotorcraft like the Airbus H125 (Eurocopter AS350), Bell 412, Boeing CH-47, the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, Leonardo AW139 and more than 200 other vehicle types and variants. The system's versatility also offers fixed wing vibration diagnostics for aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

Demonstrations of the new system are taking place in Q2 this year with deliveries anticipated in early 2023.