Innovative Low-Cost, Single User AHS Supports Helicopter Missions on Smaller Ships in Harsh Sea Conditions

SURFACE WARSHIPS 2017, LONDON, U.K. - January 23, 2017– Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division today announced that its INDAL business unit will give a presentation on its innovative low-cost, single operator Manual Aircraft Straighten and Traverse (MAST) Aircraft Handling System (AHS) at Surface Warships 2017. MAST is designed to provide a safe, secure method of maneuvering and traversing helicopters onboard ships.

Don McKay, INDAL’s Director of Sales and Marketing, will present “MAST - the next generation Aircraft Handling System” at Surface Warships 2017, Hilton London Docklands Riverside, London, U.K. on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at 4:20 p.m. The presentation will provide an overview of AHS technologies and solutions and highlight the advantages of deploying MAST on smaller ships to support increasing demand for manned and unmanned rotor-wing aircraft missions in all weather conditions, day and night, and in sea conditions up to sea state 6.

ABOUT MAST

A more compact and lighter variation of the company’s proven Twin Claw Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse (TC-ASIST), helicopter handling system (HHS), the new INDAL MAST system is track-based and controlled using a chest pack mounted Portable Control Unit (PCU) worn by the operator while working alongside the aircraft. This approach eliminates the need for a permanent HHS. The INDAL MAST system combines design attributes of the proven Italian Navy TC-ASIST (Orrizonte/FREMM) with elements from the in-service Royal Navy MANTIS Handler.

INDAL MAST is Landing Grid compatible and safely and securely maneuvers and traverses a wide variety of helicopters, including the Lynx, NH-90, and Dauphin between the flight deck and the hangar.

HOW MAST OPERATES

Once the INDAL MAST system has fully engaged it provides the helicopter with total security from toppling or sliding. After landing, the system secures the helicopter via a simple interface with the helicopter Main Landing Gear. INDAL MAST enables re-centering and alignment of the helicopter, with the track axis and traversing the helicopter between the flight deck landing spot and the hangar. Additionally, the system can be used to easily position the helicopter to optimize alignment for external stores loading.

INDAL MAST Performance Features:

• Provides positive securing against sliding and toppling
• Provides fully controlled and guided movement during straightening & traversing
• Requires minimal operator training
• Precise alignment and positioning of aircraft during traversing through hangar door
• Safe operation (operator not in contact with airframe / no exposed cables on deck)
• Single system operator required on deck for full system functionality

In order to quantify system requirements and to define optimized operating envelopes for the general sea state conditions, INDAL can undertake a Dynamic Interface Analysis (DIA) of the ship response to the seaway and the ship-helicopter dynamic system as a part of initial design activities. Contact the factory for more information.

For more information about Curtiss-Wright’s INDAL products, please visit www.cw-ems.com.

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 8,400 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

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