waverley aerospace publications

Helicopter-Ship Dynamic Interface Research, 1986-2001

This book covers the research undertaken by the All-Weather Operations group at the Royal Aircraft Establishment and its successor, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency at Bedford between 1986 and 2001.

The research was aimed mainly on the operations of embarked helicopters on small ships and focussed on the Merlin helicopter and the 'Duke' class (Type 23) frigates. The 15T Merlin was a major size and weight increase over the 5T Lynx and the 10T Sea King helicopters.

The principal facility used was the Wessex HC2 (XR503) with its prototype electronic flight information system (EFIS), guidance system based on Differential GPS and the experimental versatile autopilot all developed to support an automatic recovery system to the mother ship.

The Advanced Flight Simulator (AFS) at Bedford was also used to provide a high fidelity simulation of the helicopter and ship systems and support investigations in conditions faced at sea. A new ship visual display system based on electro-luminescent panels (ELPs) and later light emitting diode (LED) panels was developed using the outline of the ship's hangar and flight deck visual displays.

Major trials were undertaken to test the systems investigated and prove them in real life conditions. Trial Wellington with HMS Iron Duke and Trial Avalon with HMS Marlborough evaluated the new systems and techniques using a range of helicopters from the Mk3 Lynx to the venerable Wessex HC2 and the Sea King 4X and provided the results required.

The environmental conditions on the T23 were also investigated to establish the air wake and ship motion conditions in all-weather conditions to support flight simulation modelling and to investigate improved systems for securing and manoeuvring helicopters on the flight deck.

Overall the research covered a wide area of activity and was able to establish the broad costs and benefits of the different systems for existing and future helicopters and ships, depending on their roles and attributes.

For this work, Bruce received the RAeSoc Aero Marine Award and the IMechE William Sweet Smith Prize in 1998, and a Technical Cooperation Programme (TTCP) achievement award for the work on the prediction and validation of ship air wakes using CFD techniques in 2000.

'Helicopter-Ship Dynamic Interface Research, 1986-2001' - ISBN 978-1-9999174-2-5; 11.75 x 8.23in softback; 478 pages illustrated by pictures and diagrams; fully indexed and referenced; £25 plus £5 postage and packaging (UK only).

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