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Research, Development, Test and Evaluation: Project Spotlight
September 2011
Home > RDT&E > Project Spotlight
Cutter-Based Helicopter Securing and Traversing Systems
At any given time, the Coast Guard RDT&E program is working on more than 80 projects that support the Coast Guard’s short, medium and long range requirements across all major missions.
A helicopter tie-down crew aboard the NSC Bertholf examines the MANTIS—SHH RAM as part of the pier-side feasibility assessment.
Issue
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.
Outcome
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:
- Modify the MANTIS-SHH RAM system to enable compatibility with the H-65 nose wheel tire assembly;
- Demonstrate MANTIS-SHH abilities to traverse the H-65 on an airfield ramp (land-based demonstration); and
- Conduct preliminary pier-side and underway shipboard demonstrations aboard the NSC Bertholf.
- Generate a report that:
- Identifies potential system deficiencies;
- Investigates system compliance with current policies for ship-helicopter operations;
- Determines the viability of alternatives analysis acquisition cost estimates based on project findings (i.e., actual technical readiness level appraisal, potential non-recurring engineering costs, etc.); and
- Proposes a potential shipboard concept of operations for the RAM system.
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