Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • AGI completes Visual Landing Aid upgrade on RAN's HMAS Choules

Defence

AGI completes Visual Landing Aid upgrade on RAN's HMAS Choules

Poole based Aeronautical & General Instruments Ltd (AGI), in partnership with its technical support agent Owen International Pty Ltd, have completed the successful commissioning of the new Visual Landing Aid System onboard HMAS Choules, the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (LSD).

Above: Visual Landing Aids being tested during First of Class Flight Trials in Sydney Harbour, on HMAS Choules.
Image courtesy AGI

A collaborative effort between the Royal Australian Navy Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Atlantic & Peninsula Australia (A&P), AGI and Owen International saw the delivery of an integrated digital system of advanced visual cues, with the capacity of being seamlessly upgraded to support UAV systems in the future.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Owen International, who support and sustain AGI’s systems in Australia and New Zealand, commissioned the new Visual Landing Aid System and attended the First of Class Flight Trials which were conducted off the east coast of Australia by the RAN’s Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU).   

AGI Managing Director, David Hyde commented: “This is a very significant achievement, a milestone in the continued growth of our sustainment capability with Owen International in the Asia Pacific region. The successful commissioning of the system by Owen has set a new benchmark in the development of AGI`s Australian Industrial capability”.

Reducing pilot workload and increasing operational capability, AGI’s Visual Landing Aids are the choice of the worlds most advanced navies. The core product offering which includes an Advanced Glide Slope Indicator (ASGSI), latest generation Stabilised Horizon Reference System (SHRS) and DeckfinderTM Ready Combination Deck Lights provides greater awareness of vessel position and motion with advanced visual cues.  

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

As the global capability for supporting the operation of Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs) progresses, the system can be seamlessly upgraded to incorporate automated UAV landing features.  

Based in Poole in Dorset, AGI supplies over 50 countries worldwide, manufacturing a wide variety of defence products and naval equipment. Founded in 1915, AGI has built up a reputation for high quality, well-engineered products that employ electronic, electromechanical and optical technologies. Its naval products include Visual Landing Aids for Rotary, Fixed-Wing and Automated UAV Landing, as well as Meteorological and Navigational Systems. Its Instrumentation product range includes Safety OHM Meters, Airport Weather Systems and Gun Barrel Bore Gauges. AGI’s team of In Service Support Engineers provide the support services necessary throughout the life of the equipment, such as installation, commissioning, training and repairs.

Owen International has supplied and supported Australian Defence Force (ADF) equipment for over 37 years. Systems include Ship Visual Landing Aids, Meteorological, Chemical Detection, Electro Optical Surveillance and Gun Fire Control Systems.

 

Advertisement
Gulfstream banner
ARTEC awarded £53m contract for British Army artillery weapon systems

Defence

ARTEC awarded £53m contract for British Army artillery weapon systems

13 March 2026

Increased lethality for the British Army has moved a step closer after a £53 million contract was awarded by OCCAR on behalf of the British Army to ARTEC GmbH for the long-lead production of 37 weapon systems for the Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155.

BAE Systems completes preliminary design review of USSF missile tracking system

Defence Space

BAE Systems completes preliminary design review of USSF missile tracking system

12 March 2026

BAE Systems has completed the Preliminary Design Review for the $1.2 billion US Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) – Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 programme to provide missile warning and tracking of advanced missile threats.

Torus alliance launched

Defence Events

Torus alliance launched

12 March 2026

Amentum, GXO, Accenture and Maersk have entered into an alliance to support the next generation of supply chain solutions to the UK Defence Sector, called Torus Defence Supply Chain.

Rolls-Royce strengthens PGZ partnership

Defence

Rolls-Royce strengthens PGZ partnership

12 March 2026

Rolls-Royce and the Polish defence technology group Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. (PGZ) intend to intensify their cooperation in the field of propulsion technologies for military vehicles.

Advertisement
ODU RT
UK-first achieved in advanced materials

Aerospace Defence Space

UK-first achieved in advanced materials

11 March 2026

The UK has established its first sovereign manufacturing capability for ultrahigh temperature materials - vital for space, hypersonic and propulsion systems.

Thales launches SkyDefender

Defence

Thales launches SkyDefender

11 March 2026

Thales has today announced the launch of SkyDefender, a system providing an integral air and missile defence dome with artificial intelligence.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner