The Turkish defense industry has produced the Helicopter Capture and Transfer System (HCTS) using domestic and national resources to overcome the embargo imposed by Canada.
HYTS is a system that enables helicopters to land safely on ships, secure themselves, and be towed to the hangar. The system was installed on Türkiye's first national frigate, TCG ISTANBUL, and, having completed all acceptance tests, entered the inventory of the Turkish Navy.
HYTS was developed under a project signed in 2021 between STM Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade Inc. and Altınay Defense, under the coordination of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey's Defense Industry Directorate (SSB). The system utilizes sub-components such as a camera and a helicopter-mounted laser system to calculate the helicopter's position through image processing and automatically track it. As soon as the helicopter lands on the ship's deck, the quick-grab vehicle's claws grab and secure the helicopter. This ensures the helicopter is safely integrated into the ship's deck. No personnel are required in the landing area during this entire process. A single operator can safely manage the operation from a control point.
Which ship was the first to integrate the Helicopter Acquisition and Transfer System (HYTS)?
HYTS was first integrated into TCG ISTANBUL and successfully completed port acceptance tests. In the first helicopter test, the system enabled the SH-70 Sea Hawk helicopter to approach the ship safely. In the final stage of testing, the SH-70 Sea Hawk helicopter approached the ship and successfully landed on the deck with the visual landing assistance provided by the system. The helicopter was then secured by the system and transferred to the hangar.
HYTS has added another achievement to the Turkish defense industry's successes in localization and nationalization. Thanks to this system, the Turkish Navy's helicopter operational capability has been increased, and foreign dependence in this area has been ended. Furthermore, HYTS has increased the domestic content in national ships and strengthened the export potential of the defense industry. HYTS will also be included in new ships entering the inventory, adding to the strength of the Turkish Navy in the Blue Homeland.
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