HeliSAFE streamlines the management of and compliance with ship–helicopter operating limits (SHOL), operational policies and procedures —all of which are integral to airworthiness assurance at sea.

 

As a ship-based software solution, HeliSAFE supports the safe and effective management of helicopter operations from single or multi-spot ships by:

• standardising aviation management practices at sea
• replacing manual practices that have the potential for human error and cumulative risk
• enabling maximum operational capability and tactical flexibility to be realised

 

HeliSAFE readily integrates with ship sensors and data inputs that provide a comprehensive and informed view of aircraft status, operational conditions and compliance to all aviation-related positions.

 

For operation of multiple aircraft, a combined SHOL provides operators with a clear understanding of operational limits for a selected combination of activities or operations.

 

HeliSAFE:

• supports accurate monitoring of defined limits
• ensures operations are conducted safely
• assures authorities that authorised limits are interpreted consistently

 

 

PLANNING, MANAGING AND DEVELOPING SHOL
 

SHOLsmith assists the flight tester in the planning, conduct, analysis and reporting of ship–helicopter operating limits (SHOL) trials.
 
In recent trials, SHOLSmith has demonstrated exceptional benefit through production of the comprehensive final report and SHOL generation ready for authorisation before the Prism Defence trial team has left the ship.
 
SHOLsmith efficiently manages the extensive amount of trial data, records all analysis and assessment steps and delivers the findings rapidly, accurately and in a format that is ready for approval and operational use. For the client, this means:

• trial completion in minimum time
• significant reduction in required sea days and flying hours
• completion of flight trial reporting with SHOL ready for authorisation in minimum time following completion of the trial
• realisation of limits to support maximum operating capability
• full traceability of test results and analysis

 
 
 

INTEGRATED FLIGHT TEST SOFTWARE SUITE
 

Prism Defence’s Ship–Helicopter Operating Limits Development System (SHOLDS) is a purpose designed software suite that enables the efficient, accurate and safe conduct of embarked flight trials.

 

Primary components include:

• HeliSHOLDS software for managing the acquisition of aircraft data from either the aircraft or from a ground control station.
• ShipSHOLDS software for managing the acquisition of ship data and providing situational awareness of test requirements and limitations to key aviation positions on the ship.

 

SHOLDS enables the seamless management and delivery of the SHOL trial and ensures that the ship’s command team and the flight test team are working to a common set of goals and test limits.

 

SHOLDS:

• provides telemetry-based communication and control
• displays common plans, limits and test conditions to aircraft, ship command, bridge and flight deck officer
• maximises the effectiveness of each trial evolution
• enables the in‑flight reconfiguration of target test points to cater for changing sea and wind conditions

 

SHOLDS has been developed and proven on multiple trials and aircraft types around the world. The continually evolving sophistication of SHOLDS has supported the progressive reduction in total trial time and significantly improved test safety and comprehensiveness.

 

 

The Prism Embarked Visualisation Suite (PEVS) is a multifunctional 3D visualisation tool developed by Prism Defence to let users effectively and efficiently assess complex engineering problems, test concepts and visualise operations.

 

PEVS combines Prism Defence’s qualified engineering data with high-quality 3D models to create a versatile sandbox. PEVS can be used for engineering purposes such as:

• specification compliance
• requirements compliance
• design input
• simulation

 

Different combinations of ship and helicopter models can be selected in a 3D environment and animated to perform representative tasks or show various flight deck and aircraft configurations.

 

PEVS provides the following modules:

• The Obstruction Clearance module shows obstruction clearance requirements, based on common standards or bespoke criteria, for the selected landing spot and helicopter combinations.
• The Lashing module lets the user select the various lashing schemes of the helicopter and confirm that proposed tie-down point locations meet requirements at all landing positions and parking locations.
• The Deck Marking module lets the user select from a variety of different deck marking standards that are scaled to match specific helicopter types.
• The Deck Lighting Editor lets the user put lights and other deck objects at the required locations on the deck, superstructure or other defined planes.

 

To create a complex simulation environment, one module or a combination of modules can be used with the core PEVS functionality and user library. This environment presents an ideal engineering tool for ship–helicopter design and operations.