Indigenous night landing aid for marine copters

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 27

The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) here has joined hands with a Mumbai based firm for the indigenous development of night-vision goggles compatible Helicopter Visual Landing aid System (HVLAS) for maritime operations.

This equipment guides a helicopter for safe landing on the flight deck of a ship at sea. It comprises optical references and lights for directing the helicopter and also predicts the optimum future moment for safe touchdown on the deck.

A memorandum of understanding in this regard was signed by the CSIO with Elcome Integrated Systems Private Limited on Friday.

While the CSIO has expertise in the development of optics-based technology solutions, Elcome has the expertise in design and development of HVLAS electronics and system integration. The CSIO will develop LED-based night-vision goggles compatible lights to demarcate the deck boundary and provide optical beacon visible at over 10 kms to assist the helicopter pilot in identifying and locating the ship at sea.

HVLAS will be the first-ever indigenous equipment of its kind that will improve the operational capability of Indian warships. The immediate target for such a solution is the current project for seven stealth frigates of the P-17A class being built by Mazagon Docks Limited for the Navy.