USC's CBM research has been focused into two main complementing directions: CBM Fundamental Research and Aircraft Component Testing of rotating components, drivetrains, transmissions and swashplate assemblies.
Aircraft Components Testing, specifically helicopter components dynamic testing at USC, is a major and essential task to advance CBM. State-of –the art helicopter test stands have been designed and built that are being used to test all drivetrain components (bearings, gearboxes, swashplates, oil coolers and shafts) of AH-64, UH-60 and ARH-70.
The test stands are capable to provide up to 150% of a typical aircraft power at full speeds for the component(s) under testing. These stands are capable of handling shaft misalignment requirements while remaining safe. Other stands at USC include AH-64, ARH-70, CH-47 and UH-60 hydraulic pumps stands.
The third types of test stands at USC are AH-64, ARH-70, CH-47 and UH-60 main rotor swashplate bearing assemblies stands. All test stands are monitored by state of the art data acquisition systems that have been specified out using HUMS system(s) as the lower bound in performance and surround both the input and the output of the drivetrain with load cells.