System Description

of a camera head unit (CHU), a camera control unit

The omnidirectional antenna is designed for

(CCU), and a remote control panel (RCP), are used in

marine use. The TV signals are picked up by the

antenna and fed to the signal amplifier through the

the present system. Two of the CHUs are located at

lightning arrestor box. The lightning arrestor box

selected positions along the angled deck centerline to

protects the system from damage in case lightning

provide glide slope and line-up data during the

strikes the antenna. The signal amplifier raises the

approach. Each of the two centerline CHUs is

signals received to a level required to provide

equipped with a 120mm fixed focal length lens, which

adequate signals to the distribution system. The signal

provides approximately a 14-degree (horizontal) by

splitter and line taps provide for multiple outlets for

10-degree (vertical) field of view.

distribution of the signals. A signal/duplex outlet box

The centerline CHUs are mounted vertically

is mounted wherever a television receiver is located.

(below and perpendicular to the flight deck) and view

The outlet box contains a duplex 115-volt, 60-Hz,

the flight deck through the deck fixture. The deck

single-phase receptacle and a TV antenna outlet.

fixture contains the viewing aperture (window) and a

The television receivers are standard commercial

mirror assembly, which provides a means of setting

televisions. Impedance matching transformers are

the optical axis (of the 120mm lens/CHU assembly)

required for each receiver to match the impedance of

parallel to the optical glide slope of the incoming

the antenna distribution system with the input of the

aircraft (fig. 8-19).

receivers. The transformers are usually installed in the

line on the back of the receivers. The number of

The remaining CHU is located above the flight

television receivers will vary depending on the size

deck level on the island structure, which provides an

and class of the ship.

unobstructed view of the flight deck. This CHU is used

to identify the aircraft and the arresting wire engaged.

It is also used to monitor launch operations, accidents,

INTEGRATED LAUNCH AND

and other flight deck activity. The island camera CHU

RECOVERY TELEVISION

is equipped with a motor-operated 10:1 zoom lens.

SURVEILLANCE (ILARTS) SYSTEM

The camera housing contains the operator's

viewfinder (monitor) and zoom control. The island

The ILARTS system is a replacement for the Mk

camera unit (CHU, zoom lens, and housing) is

1 Mod 4 landing signal officer (LSO) pilot landing aid

mounted on a pedestal equipped with a manually

television (PLAT) system (fig. 8-19) currently in use

operated pan and tilt head (fig. 8-19). This, of course,

aboard U.S. Navy aircraft earners. The PLAT system

requires that an operator be present in the island

is becoming logistically unsupportable. The primary

camera booth. The control of the CHU itself is

purpose of the ILARTS system, as with the PLAT

accomplished in the same manner as the centerline

system, remains the simultaneous monitoring and

CHUs. The CHUs are controlled from a centralized

recording of aircraft recovery operations, both day and

control room that contains equipment required for

night, as a debriefing medium for pilots and for

processing, control, and synchronization. The control

detailed accident analysis. In addition, programmed

room also contains equipment for switching,

servo control equipment and additional camera

control equipment required for a catapult launch

recording, and distribution of the video signals, as well

surveillance system being developed can be

as audio signals obtained from the LSO radio.

accommodated within the equipment racks and

Monitoring equipment consisting of a 9-inch or

control console and fully integrated into the video

17-inch monitor and 1-watt loudspeaker are located in

switching, recording, distribution, and display

each of the selected spaces throughout the ship.

equipment provided.

SYSTEM INSTALLATION

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The shipboard installation of the ILARTS system

consists of two centerline camera installations; an

The ILARTS system is a closed television circuit

island camera station; a centralized control room; and

to monitor aircraft landings aboard U.S. Navy aircraft

a remotely located monitor installed in the pilot house,

carriers during both day and night operations, and is

each of the squadron ready rooms, and other

planned for expansion to include surveillance of

designated spaces. The general arrangement of the

launch operations. Three low-light level television

system is shown in figure 8-19.

(LLLTV) camera chains, each of which is comprised

8-20