Update: UK Royal Navy's HMS Trent completes trials of new pilot aid system

HMS Trent has completed three days of flying operations with a Wildcat attack helicopter to test a newly installed helicopter visual aid system. (Royal Navy)

The UK Royal Navy's (RN's) Forth (Batch II River)-class offshore patrol ship (OPV) HMS Trent (P 224) has completed flying trials to certify its new helicopter visual landing aid system (HVLAS) ahead of redeploying to the Caribbean.

The lighting system, supplied by Glamox, is designed to guide pilots to land on the vessel's flight deck during night operations or in adverse weather conditions.

Announcing the milestone on 30 July, the RN said the HVLAS is a new type for the service and Trent is the first ship to receive the upgrade.

The flight trials, which were carried out over three days with a Wildcat helicopter, are the culmination of more than eight months of work to completely replace and generate the procedures for using the new HVLAS.

Key features include a new stabilised horizon bar and glide path indicator, which help pilots to approach and land in adverse conditions and at night, and new flight deck lighting that is fully compatible with night-vision devices and includes variable intensity controls for improved visibility.

Trent returned to UK waters to carry out a Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) period and certify the HVLAS after spending seven months in Babcock's dry dock in Malta completing a comprehensive maintenance and upgrade programme. During its upkeep Trent received the same dazzle camouflage paint scheme as its sister ships.

Prior to entering its refit, Trent