Royal Navy’s patrol ship tests new pilot aid system

A Royal Navy patrol ship, HMS Trent, has tested a new system designed to guide pilots in rough seas or during night operations ahead of a deployment to the Caribbean.

HMS Trent carried out three days of concentrated flying operations with a Wildcat attack helicopter to test a new lighting setup known as a helicopter visual landing aid system (HVLAS), which provides a guide for pilots to land onto the ship’s flight deck in adverse conditions or at night.

The HVLAS is made up of a stabilised horizon light bar and glide path indicator, which feeds valuable information to pilots during approach and landing, particularly in adverse conditions or during night operations. There are additional lights on the flight deck itself that highlight the edges so pilots know where to land, and laser eye-lines so they can land in precisely the right spot.

The lighting system is also fully compatible with night-vision devices and includes variable intensity controls for improved visibility.

“The last few days have seen a significant effort from the crew as we conducted flying trials – both by day and night – to validate our aviation systems and procedures, ensuring we’re ready to support missions including counter-narcotics and humanitarian aid,” said Lieutenant Harry Jukes, HMS Trent’s Weapon Engineer Officer.

Although HMS Trent does not carry a helicopter, the ship will work regularly with those from the US Coast Guard when conducting drug-busting patrols of the Caribbean, and regional military/emergency services when carrying out disaster relief operations in the wake of a hurricane.

“The lighting system is a brand-new type to the Royal Navy and the offshore patrol vessels. For a start we have a new stabilised, horizon bar, which is showing the pilots where the horizon is regardless of how much the ship rolls or pitches,” Jukes added.

“The brand-new stabilised glide path indicator provides information to the pilot on what angle to come into the ship at. The new flight deck lights are particularly good, as we are able to change their intensity such that when the pilot is coming in on approach, they are not hindered by the brightness, particularly when using night vision compatible devices.”

HMS Trent is now in Portsmouth ahead of putting the final touches in place ahead of deploying to the Caribbean for counter-narcotics patrols and supporting British Overseas Territories during hurricane season.

The vessel has spent the last half a decade patrolling the Mediterranean, West Africa and Caribbean waters, but has been back in UK waters for the past month to test major upgrade work completed in Malta.