Authored by: Warship Technology editor

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions has introduced a new low-cost, single-operator shipboard helicopter handling system designed to address the size and weight limits of smaller ships

A more compact and lighter variant of the company’s proven Twin Claw Assist (TC-ASIST) handling system, the new Manual Aircraft Straighten and Traverse (MAST) system is track-based and controlled using a chest pack-mounted portable control unit worn by the operator while working alongside the aircraft. This approach eliminates the need for a permanent helicopter handling systems console on a space-constrained ship. The MAST system, which is part of Curtiss-Wright’s INDAL-branded product range, combines design attributes of the proven Italian Navy TC-ASIST (as selected for the Orrizonte/FREMM frigates) with elements from the UK Royal Navy’s MANTIS handler. 

MAST is landing grid-compatible and safely and securely manoeuvres and traverses a wide range of helicopters, including the Lynx, EH-101 and Dauphin, between the flight deck and the hangar. Enabling helicopter missions in harsh environments, MAST is designed to deliver optimal performance in all weather conditions, day and night, in sea conditions up to sea state 6.

“As naval helicopter deployments increase around the globe, rotor craft are more frequently tasked with landing onboard smaller ships,” said Lynn Bamford, senior vice-president and general manager, Defense Solutions division. “MAST is the first to deliver a low-cost, single-operator solution for securing and traversing helicopters on space constrained smaller vessels,” she claimed.

Speaking to Warship Technology, Don McKay, the company’s director of sales and marketing, said there was a noticeable trend towards the procurement of smaller surface combatants and towards equipping smaller units with a helicopter handling capability. “Whereas TC-ASIST is a twin track system, MAST is a single track unit, with which we have combined a lot of the functionality of MANTIS. This means we can meet the needs of handling systems for smaller vessels at an attractive price point but provide the same level of security to users. With the ASIST and TC-ASSIST at the upper end of our range and MANTIS, our traversing system, we feel that with MAST we can provide coverage across the entire range of helicopter handling systems.” The US Navy is understood to favour ASIST for the DDG 1000 and Flight 3 DDG 51 destroyers. The company is under contract to provide ASIST to the Royal Canadian Navy’s Joint Support Ship programme. ASIST is also understood to be the preferred choice for the Royal Australian Navy’s Air Warfare Destroyer. A version of MANTIS was selected for the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship.......

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