Reconnaissance Aircraft: RU-38B
With introduction of the RU-38B, Schweizer Aircraft has taken its family of reconnaissance platforms to a higher-level by providing a twin-engine, turbine-powered aircraft that can perform both low and high altitude roles and operate covertly. In addition, it addresses customer requirements for enhanced crew safety, increased payload capability, and added mission effectiveness. The RU-38B is a third generation system that is unique because of the following innovative features:

• Covert operation: low noise signature
• Twin-engine reliability: Rolls Royce 250 Series turbine engines
• Integrated, palletized multi-sensor payload suite
• Spacious cockpit with dedicated payload operator station
• Flexible mission performance: long endurance and high/low altitude
• Low infrared signature
• Low costs: acquisition and operating

The design of the RU-38B is optimized to perform surveillance missions. Because it is point designed to carry integrated sensor payloads, it achieves better mission performance at significantly lower costs than aircraft designed for passenger or cargo-carrying roles. By equipping the RU-38B with two turbine engines and a modular payload concept, the same basic airframe can be adapted for low altitude, “quiet” reconnaissance or high altitude, standoff surveillance roles.

The RU-38B reconnaissance aircraft evolved directly from the SA 2-37B design. The most important differences between the RU-38B and the SA 2-37B are: a) the addition of twin turbine engines in a pusher-puller configuration; b) additional payload weight and volume; and c) a larger crew compartment. Because the RU-38B will routinely operate at low altitudes over water or hostile terrain, the addition of a second engine is important for safety. The aft engine has a full-feathering propeller and will typically be shut down during the “quiet” surveillance mode. The aft engine is in reality a redundant engine available to reduce the risk in the event of engine failure and to provide higher cruise speeds during ingress and egress.

Sensors: The RU-38B features 140 cubic feet of dedicated payload volume and the ability to operate with 800 pounds of mission sensors. Because the large payload bays were designed to palletize sensors, the RU-38B can be rapidly converted from one mission to another with modularized payloads. Large access doors are provided to all payload bays. Payload sensors and mission avionics are located in both tailbooms and behind the pilot/co-pilot seats in the fuselage.

The RU-38B's primary mission applications include: border integrity protection, counter drug detection and monitoring, maritime patrol, counter-terrorism surveillance, electronic intelligence collection, fisheries patrol, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue. For many missions, the RU-38B will be equipped with a SAR or sea search radar, a forward looking infrared (FLIR) system, a low light level electro optical sensor, and communication intercept electronics. These sensors are fully integrated to maximize day/night detection and monitoring capability. Precise GPS position data is integrated into the payload operator’s display and the FLIR/EO imagery recorded on the RU-38B’s dual recording system. Down link of sensor data is an option. It can also serve as a relay platform for control of UAV’s or of signals from the ground or other aircraft. Mission effectiveness of the RU-38B results from its covert operating capability and integrated sensor suite. Mission flexibility results from its high/low altitude performance and modular payload concept.

Crew Station: The RU-38B crew station is spacious and designed to maximize the effectiveness of the sensor operator(s). The co-pilot in the left seat has full flight controls and can serve as the backup sensor operator with displays and controls for all payloads. As an option, the RU-38B aircraft can have a dedicated sensor operator station located behind the pilot and co-pilot seats.

Covert Operation: The RU-38B utilized many of the same accoustic signature reduction techniques that have proven to be so successful of the SA 2-37B. Low engine power levels are required to maintain cruise flight because of the high aerodynamic efficiency of the air vehicle. The engines have a specially designed reduction gear box so that the propeller speed can be reduced to as little as 1000 RPM. Both engine inlet and exhaust are quieted by proprietary, state-of-the-art techniques developed by Schweizer Aircraft. By reducing the noise signature of the RU 2-38B so that it will not be detected during loiter flight, the mission effectivity of the system is greatly enhanced.