[Safely Extending Your Operational Readiness]

The ability to safely operate and recover aircraft at sea, in all weather conditions, during both day and night time operations is essential in today’s modern Navy. A fundamental element of this requirement is its guidance along the correct approach path to the vessel and the transfer of the aircraft safely on to the ship’s flight deck.

Rivencore’s HELIVAS can be configured for any class of vessel, from small frigates to aircraft carriers. All systems are NVG-friendly, meeting DEF STAN 02-587 Part 3, and support operations with or without Night Vision Devices.

Reducing pilot workload to an absolute minimum, HELIVAS is recognised as one of the most advanced and capable visual landing aid suites available today.

The GLIS System (GLIDE SLOPE AND LONG RANGE LINE-UP INDICATOR SYSTEM), incorporating two ASGSIs, has been developed to satisfy a requirement for an NVG compliant system that replaces Deck Approach Projector Sight (DAPS). This system may be used by pilots flying with NVDs, who are making their final approach to an aircraft carrier or similar sized naval vessel. The two ASGSI projectors, situated one fore and one aft on the port side of the flight deck, provide a long range line-up indication. Intensity calculations indicate that the viewing distance would be a minimum of 2NM depending upon prevailing meteorological visibility conditions.

Operational experience has shown that the viewing distance is often considerably greater, with reports of 5NM not being uncommon. The beam projected by the two ASGSI’s is vertically colour-coded, as well as incorporating different occulting rates in the upper and lower sectors. On the correct glide slope, both ASGSI’s shall indicate a steady green signal to the pilot. Deviation from the correct glide path, results in one or other projectors being seen as a flashing colour, the flashing rate of which is dependent upon whether the deviation is high or low. The system may be used with equal effectiveness either with or without Night Vision Devices (NVD) and has been described as an intuitive replacement for DAPS.

The HIHAT System is a lighting solution developed for installation on aircraft carriers or other similar sized vessels, that will provide a clear, intuitive and NVD friendly indication of hover height and relative ship movement to the pilot in the side hover position. The viewing angle of the system is significantly wider than other similar traditional systems currently in service. For optimum performance, it should be mounted on the side of the ship’s island, overlooking the flight deck, in a location that will allow visibility to a minimum number of three deck landing positions.

• SAFE DECK PARKING Lights indicate to the pilot where it is safe to park aircraft once they have completed flying operations.
• LONG RANGE ACQUISITION Lights allow high speed jet aircraft to acquire visual recognition of the flight deck from increased distances.
• ISLAND CEREMONIAL FLOODLIGHT Units illuminate the island superstructure.
• CATWALK lights are used to safely illuminate the catwalk areas around the outside of the flight deck.
• FLIGHT DECK ACCESS lighting indicates safe entry or no entry to the flight deck for ships personnel.
• HIGH INTENSITY WAVE OFF Lights are for use in Fast Jet operations where the Wave Off light needs to be seen over a greater distance to allow abortive action to be taken.

Able to support non-overt, covert operations, the system contains up to 8 landing lights, each weighing less than 1kg, which can be controlled manually or by radio.

Each light is capable of output in a range of intensities and as a steady, flashing, or rotating signal. Visible colours include white, red, and green.

Power is supplied by a rechargeable, high-density lithium-ion battery packs that allow the system to be used over a broad range of temperatures, typically between -40°C and +50°C.

The tactical landing light system is recharged via the drop-in charger cradle located in the lid of the carrying case, which accepts either AC or DC input.

TALKIT is suitable for a range of applications including portable landing zones or airstrips, refuelling or rearming areas, search and rescue missions, as drop zone markers, as route marker or field marker lights.