HELOSID Testing

HELOSID (Helicopter-Delivered Seismic Intrusion Detector)

1967 HELOSID program. TDY from Shaw to Otis AFB MA. For tests and demonstration of McNamara’s new project HELOSIDs. 2 pilots and myself TDY to Eglin AFB FL.

Sikorsky factory crew would not fly test with HELOSID booby trap unit. Bought the aircraft from factory crew, loaded 6 booby traps in the launch tubes and planted then in a concrete slab from 1,000 feet to see if they would detonate on impact. Good test, no detonations, sold the aircraft back to Sikorsky crew and returned to Shaw.

(Note: This one of several stories that fellow ROTORHEAD Chuck Severns wanted to share with the group. Chuck passed away on 22 Feb 2007 and these stories are being posted in his honor).

Below is a link that talks about Operation Igloo White
http://www.afa.org/magazine/nov2004/1104igloo.pdf

During later operations, sensors were hand-dropped from CH-3 Jolly Green Giant helicopters by personnel of the 21st SOS Dust Devils (Special Operations Squadron). The picture above is not from the orginal testing that Chuck was involved in, rather taken in SEA, more than likely on an actual ADSID (Air-Delivered Seismic Intrusion Detector) mission.