The Airborne ASW systems control, preset and release LWTs from aircraft. Of modular architecture,
the systems can be integrated onboard of fixed wings or rotary wings aircraft and can be configured
for the operation of different LWTs such as the MU90, the A244/s (any model) and the MK46 (any model).
The LWTs ATS family is in service onboard a number of air platforms all over the world.

Three different Airborne ASW system configurations have been developed to meet the different
platform’s capabilities and needs: the stand-alone, the semi-integrated and the fully integrated version.

In its stand-alone version, the Airborne ASW system is composed of the APS control panel and
the APS computer unit. The links with the platform are limited to the power supply and the store
release system’s consent. Torpedo preset parameters as well as target data are manually input.
The APS control panel is, in general, accommodated at the pilot /co-pilot post while the Computer
Unit in the rear of the platform. The Computer Unit is provided with a support tray and shock-absorbers.

In the semi-integrated version, the APS computer unit is also linked to the ASW sensors of the aircraft
(data log, dunking sonar or sonobuoy system or Link 11) through which the engaged target data
can be automatically fed to the Torpedo system resulting in automatic computation of the optimum
torpedo firing solution, the associated punctual Hitting Probability, the recommended heading and
time to drop.

In the fully integrated version, the Airborne ASW system is represented by a ‘black box’, the Torpedo
Control Unit (TCU). The TCU is connected to the aircraft’s local network (double-redundant BUS 1553)
and dialogues with the MCU as well as with the Store Management System (SMS). The control of
the torpedo system is fully exercised by MCU console where a dedicated man-machine Interface
(MMI software) allows the data exchange between the ASW operator (TACCO) and the torpedo system.