New equipment is designed in line with the naval aviator, shipyard maintenance workers and ship-based military operators’ feedback. After production, the system operated in September 2022 for the first time. RSD was procured from Canada, but domestic studies have been initiated because of embargoes. The first integration is completed to the TCG İstanbul (F 515) frigate, which is newly built and under refit activities. The device is planned to conduct acceptance trials with real flights in September 2023.
The system, which increases the domestic component rate of Turkish domestic ships, consists imager, an image processing algorithm, an illumination system and laser equipment. Data obtained from laser measurement and imagers are processed to enhance the approach sensitivity of the helicopter to the flight deck instantly. No operators are required for operation on the helipad, unlike the older systems. In this way, safety also increases. After approaching with the right angle, the arresting device immediately arrests the helicopter. Turkish indigenous RSD requires only one person for operation.
The system is developed in a short time. While domestic RSD increases domestic contribution to the MilGem (Indigenous Ship) Projects of Turkiye, it also offers a competent solution to the foreign market, respectively.
