Curtiss-Wright provides a number of products to support aviation facilities on-board naval ships, these include; Horizon Reference Systems (HRS), deck tracks and tie-downs.
We have broad experience in overcoming the challenges of operating helicopters and UAV’s from small ships. We provide design service and support to navies around the world. Our services range from engineering feasibility studies to providing complete turn-key ship aviation.
A True Horizon Reference system based on ship’s vertical gyro system
Curtiss-Wright supplies a Horizon Reference System (HRS) that extends shipborne helicopter operations during periods of reduced visibility, high sea states and at night. The Indal HRS provides a steady reference with the horizon while the ship rolls during heavy seas or manoeuvring. The HRS provides a true horizon reference by driving the roll bar in the direction opposite to the ship’s roll.
The HRS position, when compared to the fixed lights on the ship’s hangar or deck, provides the pilot with the degree and periodicity of the ship’s roll. Curtiss-Wright incorporates two fixed one foot lighted panels that are mounted at the end of and parallel to the roll bar. The HRS can also be installed as part of a more comprehensive lighting or landing aid package to further enhance the visual cues to the pilot, thus reducing his workload and enhancing safety. The HRS remains the key element in providing the pilot the “true horizon” when preparing to land.
The HRS system is in use with almost every Indal RAST system worldwide, as a stand-alone product, and is modified to incorporate additional pilot cue light boxes when sold with Indal ASIST.
Corrosion-resistant shipboard helicopter tie-down with rotation of the tie-down hook
Curtiss-Wright has used its innovative skills and extensive knowledge of the sea environment, high-grade materials and welding techniques to develop and design a new Indal Helicopter Tie-Down. The new unit offers superior corrosion resistance and greater security for shipboard helicopters. These characteristics, combined with a simple construction and ease of installation, result in a cost-effective solution for shipboard helicopter securing.
Existing tie-downs have two main deficiencies; they are susceptible to corrosion; and, they limit the free rotation of the tie-down hook. This last characteristic can induce adverse bending moments and possibly damage the tie-down hook during high loading conditions. It is these deficiencies that were primarily addressed by the new tie-down design.
The Indal tie-downs will sustain the loads required to secure a 15t helicopter under severe sea state conditions, and have been installed on the British Navy’s aircraft carrier, Ark Royal.