Radiated electric field measurements in U.S. Army helicopters

Aircraft systems and medical devices generate electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can cause faulty operation of aircraft systems or medical devices and endanger patients or aircraft crewmembers. A ground and inflight study was conducted to describe the electromagnetic fields in typical operations. Broadband isotropic field sensors measured electric fields from 5 kHz to 3 MHz, 3 to 500 MHz, and 0.5 MHz to 6 GHz. Fields were measured at 0.5 m space intervals in JOH-58A, JUH-1H, and JUH-60A helicopters with systems off, operating RPM, 5-ft hover, 50-ft hover, and cruise. Electric fields in the environment were homogeneous and less than 0.1 V/m. Fields in the helicopters increased during ascent, but remained less than 2 V/m except during radio transmissions. EMI effect of the Physio Control Lifepack 8 was demonstrated during FM radio transmission. The results are useful in evaluating electromagnetic emissions and predicting operations that may result in an inflight malfunction of a medical device or aircraft system.