7-Oct-2011 Source: US Coast Guard
The reduced manning requirement and expected increase in aviation operational tempo for the National Security Cutter (NSC) has served as a catalyst to develop NSC program requirements for an automated Securing and Traversing System (STS). Currently, Coast Guard H-65 helicopters and legacy cutters use a deck-lock system called TALON that secures an aircraft to the flight deck and then relies on a combination of aviation detachment and cutter-based personnel to conduct manual launch, recovery and traversing methods needed to support ship-helicopter operations. The April 2011 alternatives analysis for the H-65/NSC STS suggested that a TALON Remote Aircraft Mover (RAM) system might be an optimal alternative for the NSC to support automatic launch and recovery in ship-helicopter operations.
The Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) was requested to assist in validating the findings of the alternatives analysis and support final STS selection through a series of land- and cutter-based feasibility assessments of the Multi-Aircraft Nose/Tail Interface System-Shipboard Helicopter Handler (MANTIS-SHH) Remote Aircraft Mover (RAM) system with a Coast Guard H-65.
This project will:
At any given time, the Coast Guard Research and Development Center is working on more than 80 projects that support the Coast Guard’s short, medium and long range requirements across all major missions.