The Helicopter Visual Landing Aid System (HVLAS), used on warships and indigenised for the first time in Türkiye by STM, has been put into operation aboard a corvette constructed under an export project
STM continues to reap the rewards of its R&D and indigenisation efforts in naval technologies. HVLAS, which is used on surface warships and had previously been procured from abroad, was developed through STM’s localisation initiatives and introduced to Türkiye in 2023.
HVLAS now operational
Developed jointly by STM and Berkin Defence Engineering Inc.v, HVLAS has been successfully integrated into a corvette constructed under an export programme led by STM as the main contractor. Having passed all acceptance tests, Türkiye’s national HVLAS has now been activated and commissioned for operational use. Thus, for the first time, an indigenously developed HVLAS system produced by a domestic company using national resources is being actively used as part of an export success.
To be deployed on 12 warships
The indigenously developed HVLAS is also set to be integrated into another corvette built under the same export project. In addition, STM plans to integrate the system into three corvettes of the Malaysia Corvette Project (LMS Batch-2), as well as all of the MİLGEM İstif-Class frigates numbered 6 through 12 in Türkiye. In total, HVLAS will be commissioned aboard 12 surface warships, both in Türkiye and abroad.
Eyes and ears of helicopter pilots: HVLAS
Consisting of visual guidance and flight deck lighting equipment and comprising pieces of software that ensure system equipment to operate in an appropriate configuration,having been developed by indigenous and national means, HVLAS enables helicopter pilots to landing with safely on ships during both day and night operations. HVLAS allows pilots to operate safely at night and at times when visibility is not convenient, minimising the workload of pilots. HVLAS can be used aboard all naval surface platforms, including corvettes, frigates, logistics support ships, or tanker ships with helicopter platforms.
