GVH Aerospace’s sea tray product has been selected by Heli-Union for the French Navy’s interim naval helicopter program. The French Navy will lease 12 AS365 Dauphin helicopters to bridge the period between the withdrawal from service of the Alouette III helicopter and the arrival of the H160M Guépard helicopter.

The GVH Aerospace sea tray product will be customised for the operational requirements of the French Navy. The French Navy joins the Korean Coast Guard, Australian Defence Force and a Scandinavian military as operators of the product.

“We are pleased to partner with the Heli-Union team to supply our sea tray product as part of the French Navy interim naval helicopter program. Although we have been producing the sea tray product for use by many helicopter operators for the last 10 years, the selection of our sea tray by Heli-Union for the French Navy is a significant validation of our product”, said Gareth Dyer, CEO, GVH Aerospace.

“We have designed the sea tray to be installed and removed without the need for tools. This provides the French Navy with the degree of flexibility needed to support the product in service. Although this is a military customer, the product will be certified as an EASA modification prior to aircraft delivery and this eases the service entry process”, added Gareth Dyer.
The leased AS365 Dauphin helicopters are expected to enter into service in late 2020.