Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse

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An RSAF Super Puma takes off from the flight deck of the RSS Resolution - an Endurance class LST. Visible in the foreground is the Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse (ASIST) system.

The Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse (ASIST) system was developed by Canadian company Indal Technologies. ASIST completed sea trials by July 31, 1992 and production units are in operation with the Chilean Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy, Turkish Navy and United States Navy.

[edit] Mode of Operation

The ASIST system employs a sophisticated electro-optic tracking system which detects a laser beacon-equipped helicopter. The system tracks the helicopter and provide real time helicopter position simultaneously via visual cues to the pilot.^[1] A computer-controlled rapid securing device will also be driven by the position data to track the helicopter at low hover. Once the system has detected that the helicopter has landed on the deck, the securing device automatically approaches the helicopter and secures it.^[2] The securing device and traversing system are then used to align the helicopter with the deck tracks and manoeuvre it into a hangar, all without the need for manned intervention.^[3] All ASIST electrical and mechanical systems are modular and are housed in the hangar or below deck level to minimize space and weight requirements.

[edit] References

1. ^ David, Salt (June 1995). "Electro-optic precision approach and landing system". Proceedings of SPIE 2463: 102–114. doi:10.1117/12.212734. 
2. ^ Helicopter Deck Traffic Simplified With Flexible Cable Installation. Lapp USA. Retrieved on 2007-04-21.
3. ^ Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse. Indal Technologies. Retrieved on 2007-04-21.