ASIST

ASIST Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse system

For those preferring a free-deck landing system, ASIST delivers the benefits of CWCES-MD's advanced handling technology in a lightweight, fully integrated ‘wireless’ system.

Using ASIST, helicopter landings are made solely by the pilot, during a quiescent period in ship motion. During descent, ASIST’s precision H.P.S.E. (Helicopter Position Sensing Equipment) system continuously tracks and monitors the exact position of the aircraft, relative to the designated landing area and displays it to the pilot through a series of visual landing cues. Guidance data is simultaneously relayed to a computer-controlled Rapid Securing Device (RSD), which automatically moves fore and aft along the flight deck track to maintain its position directly beneath a probe on the underside of the helicopter. Immediately upon touchdown, the probe is secured by the RSD, and the aircraft is ready to be aligned and traversed into the hangar.

On deck manoeuvring is easily conducted with a single operator with no need to connect any ancillary equipment or guide cables to the helicopter. The unique design of the ASIST RSD make it possible for the single operator to rotate a 30,000 pound helicopter through 360 degrees within the confines of the flight deck – all while maintaining complete security in extreme sea states. To date, some 30 systems are installed or on order for five navies, on seven ship types, operating with five different helicopters.

TWIN CLAW ASIST

While ASIST (Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse) is a popular system for those navies that have probe-equipped helicopters, for some navies the option to install a telescoping probe on their existing helicopters is difficult. In order to support non-probe installed aircraft, CWCES-MD has developed the Twin Claw or TC- ASIST system, a derivative of its already proven and successful ASIST system.

The TC-ASIST system provides full security after landing and through all on-deck operations, up to and including Sea State 6 conditions. The pilot, assisted by visual cues, flies the aircraft to a position over the designated landing area on the flight deck. The Rapid Securing Device (RSD), fitted with a pair of claw arms designed to capture and secure the wheel spurs of the aircraft, tracks the helicopter position with the capture arms at a ready position at either end of the RSD. The claw arms are spring loaded and held in the down position until tire sensors contact each tire as the arms are brought in. Upon contact, spring force rotates the claw arm upwards until it contacts the wheel spur. Each claw arm acts independently, but they are mechanically interlocked to ensure simultaneous operation.

Once the aircraft is secured, it is ready to be aligned/straightened for traversing from the designated landing area to the hangar or any intermediate location. All deck handling operations can be accomplished without the need for personnel on the flight deck.