Feature 3 | HELO/AIRCRAFT HANDLING
New deck handler is well-received
With the recent introduction of its Mantis SHH aircraft handler, which
made its debut at the DSEi exhibition in 2009, Douglas SPD now offers
three machine options, two of which have advanced deck-handling
capabilities for helicopters.
D
esigned to be a durable machine
with clearances and lifting
capacities for all current and
future NATO marine embarked rotary-
and fixed-wing aircraft, the Mantis SHH
aircraft handler is capable of handling
low ground clearance helicopters such as
the Sikorsky MH60-R, Merlin EH101 and
NH90 to rear wheel interfaced aircraft such
as the Apache and EC665 Tiger.
Since its introduction into service the
Mantis has been well received, and is
already in use onboard Royal Australian
Navy vessels and machines are currently
undergoing trials at the US Naval Air
Station at Patuxent River, the centre for test,
evaluation and systems acquisition relating
to US naval aviation.
A Douglas Mantis SHH in use on board a Royal Australian Navy frigate.
The smaller RAM handler is equally
adept, and being extremely low profile, its
under fuselage clearance allows handling deck track parking systems which are Furthermore, Mantis does not require
of all current and proposed helicopters restrictive and require bulky under deck modifications to the airframe such as
and fighter aircraft in both land based and electrical or hydraulic winches and winch the need to add undercarriage spurs as it
marine operations. This even includes cable networks. interfaces directly with the conventional tow
aircraft with deflated tyres or collapsed Being free-standing and requiring no points fitted by the aircraft manufacturer,
oleo legs. embedded deck tracks or any kind of and the unit’s free-moving ability allows
The third handler in the family – the modification to the aircraft, traditional it to acquire aircraft that are damaged or
Mantis ESH – has been specifically restrictions in parking density by tracked which have landed in adverse conditions
developed for the F-35B STOVL Joint systems are completely removed. in non-ideal deck positions.
Strike Fighter and other similar aircraft The Mantis SHH is designed to permit The handler operates within the
proposals with all-up weight of in excess fast, precise and high-density parking footprint of the aircraft and with its ‘turn
of 30,000kg. to make the best use of valuable hangar on the spot’ capability permits aircraft to
More than 120 RAM handlers are now in space. Key features of the new unit be parked at very high density and close to
service around the world. In addition, the include sophisticated AC control, digitised the extremities of hangars or deck edges.
RAM is also the preferred deck handling computer systems which provide accurate Being completely emission free, the Mantis
system on board the General Dynamics/ control of steering and speed to optimise SHH is suitable for prolonged use indoors
Bath Iron Works version of the US Navy’s parking density and increased battery or below deck.
Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Negotiations endurance post charge. From the operator viewpoint the
are also well advanced with the other LCS The unit’s ability to work with aircraft Mantis SHH is steered by a remote chest
team, led by Lockheed Martin, for the RAM having extremely low under-fuselage pack-mounted console connected to the
to be specified as its preferred handler. ground clearance provides the Mantis and handler via a 6m military shielded cable.
For vessels such as the LCS, restricting aircraft being towed with a very low centre This enables the operator to view and
weight mass above the waterline is all of gravity, giving tremendous stability control the aircraft movement from the
important. Mantis offers a lightweight to the aircraft even in very extreme and safest position especially when interfacing
yet rugged alternative to conventional unstable conditions. with the aircraft. WT
24 Warship Technology March 2010
WT_Mar-2010_p24.indd 24 23/02/2010 16:48:24
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