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Having over fifty years experience with equipment that allows shipboard aircraft operation, Curtiss-Wright's personnel are uniquely trained and experienced in designing and building system solutions for handling aircraft and UAVs onboard ships in the toughest possible environments.

The helicopter Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse (RAST) system and Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse (ASIST) systems are established as the system of choice with navies around the world. Twin Claw – ASIST (TC-ASIST) is a recent variation of ASIST that allows similar operational capability without requiring a securing probe. These fully integrated systems are unique in that they not only enable helicopter pilots to safely land and take-off from the decks of relatively small ships in severe weather conditions and at night, but also to traverse the helicopter into and out of a hangar.

These helicopter handling systems employ an in-deck lightweight deck track system to provide absolute security on deck and precise repeatable traversing to and from the confined hangar parking position. The Curtiss-Wright lightweight track has proven ideal for both new construction and backfit applications.

INDAL’s MANTIS, a specialized battery powered aircraft handler, provides the capability to maneuver helicopters and fixed wing aircraft within the tight confines of a flight deck or shipboard hangar space. This maneuverability and electric operation emitting no fumes also make it suitable for use in land based maintenance facilities. The MANTIS interfaces directly with the aircraft through a patented Matrix head, with no requirement for additional tow bars or airframe modifications.

Product Sheet Product Name IMAGE Application Type Feature
MANTIS Aircraft Tug MANTIS aircraft tug - navy ground support equipment (GSE navy) Shipborne Aircraft Operations, Ground Battery Powered, Traversing System Two wheel steer, 2 win drive, compact size
MANTIS ELP Aircraft Tug MANTIS ELP aircraft tug - aviation ground support equipment (GSE navy) Shipborne Aircraft Operations, Ground Battery Powered, Traversing System 4 wheel steer, 4 wheel drive, low profile
Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse System (ASIST) Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse System (ASIST) Shipborne Helicopter Operations Integrated system Large capture area, no men on deck
Indal Twin Claw (TC-ASIST) Indal Twin Claw (TC-ASIST) Shipborne Helicopter Operations Integrated system Designed for non-probe installed helicopter
Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse System (RAST) Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse System (RAST) Shipborne Helicopter Operations Integrated system Uses recover assist cable to minimize landing disperion
Indal Manual Aircraft Securing & Traversing (MAST) Aircraft Handling System Indal Manual Aircraft Securing & Traversing (MAST) Aircraft Handling System Shipborne Helicopter Operations, Shipborne Aircraft Operations, Ground Integrated system Manual operation, Designed for non-probe installed helicopter
Lightweight Track Lightweight Track Shipborne Helicopter Operations

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