Kelvin Hughes Develops Innovative Helicopter Landing Solution

11 Agustus 2011

HMAS Canberra LHD (photo : MurdocOnline)

Kelvin Hughes has developed an innovative helicopter landing solution on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy.

The dedicated short range helicopter control radar (SRHCR) has recently passed factory acceptance testing and will now be integrated into the Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks being built by BAE Systems Australia and Navantia.

It’s expected that the ships will enter service during 2014 and 2015 and will be the largest warships ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

IMO regulations which prevent the use of navigation radars for helicopter control led to the requirement for a customised SRHCR.

Kelvin Hughes’ experience in naval navigation radar combined with its SharpEye™ solid state sensor technology provided the perfect solution for developing a cost-effective dedicated sensor for the landing of helicopters.

The marine navigation and surveillance specialist delivered the first system from project concept in less than 18 months, and the radar system has now passed the trials testing phase following the technical design review in December 2010.

The Kelvin Hughes Surveillance solution provides up-mast S-Band SharpEye™ solid state radar transceiver, 3.9m low profile antenna, state-of-the-art tracking software produced in conjunction with QintetiQ, providing helicopter track data to the command system with no operator intervention.

The ATC room houses a Kelvin Hughes MantaDigital™ processor and display console with a slave display connected via fibre optic cables in the operations room. The system can also be used as a stand-alone manned station, providing a back-up solution based-on mission requirements.

Gary Potts, LHD Combat & Communications Manager, for BAE Systems Australia said: I have been most impressed with Kelvin Hughes’ dedication and responsiveness.

Barry Wade, Managing Director Kelvin Hughes Surveillance business said: We are delighted that BAE Systems selected SharpEye™ for this application, within its class the performance and flexibility of SharpEye™ is second to none as illustrated on this prestigious programme.

(Kelvin Hughes)