Monday, July 03, 2006
Eurosatory 06: New Apache Pilot’s Night Vision Sensor Adapted for Cargo, Utility Helicopters
From Rotorhub.com
In early 2007, a cargo helicopter will fly with a fully-integrated Modernised Pilot’s Night Vision Sensor (M-PNVS), the same system that enables US Army Apache Longbow pilots to fly visually in total darkness, indeed the turret will be interchangeable with Apache M-PNVS turrets, according to Beth Garrity-Marchman, LM’s Director of Business Development for Rotary Wing Systems and Weapons. The system is being called Pathfinder and plans include offering it for Chinooks and Black Hawks for the US Army and export customers.
Marchman, a Chinook pilot and combat veteran, explained that LM is developing pathfinder to what she described as a potential operational requirement to improve safety and ease pilot workload in a variety of critical situations, including ‘brown-out’ and ‘white-out’ conditions. The long-wave thermal imager, she said, sees through the dust clouds that create brown-out conditions well enough to show a very distinct horizon even when very little else is visible. The US Army is examining the system, but hasn’t issued a formal requirement.
LM is working with integrated helmet providers to give customers a choice of displays. Marchman recommends a modern helmet that can exploit the sensor’s wide field of view, but will also offer customers other options such as showing the image on an integrated multifunction display or a stand-alone screen.
Peter Donaldson.
In early 2007, a cargo helicopter will fly with a fully-integrated Modernised Pilot’s Night Vision Sensor (M-PNVS), the same system that enables US Army Apache Longbow pilots to fly visually in total darkness, indeed the turret will be interchangeable with Apache M-PNVS turrets, according to Beth Garrity-Marchman, LM’s Director of Business Development for Rotary Wing Systems and Weapons. The system is being called Pathfinder and plans include offering it for Chinooks and Black Hawks for the US Army and export customers.
Marchman, a Chinook pilot and combat veteran, explained that LM is developing pathfinder to what she described as a potential operational requirement to improve safety and ease pilot workload in a variety of critical situations, including ‘brown-out’ and ‘white-out’ conditions. The long-wave thermal imager, she said, sees through the dust clouds that create brown-out conditions well enough to show a very distinct horizon even when very little else is visible. The US Army is examining the system, but hasn’t issued a formal requirement.
LM is working with integrated helmet providers to give customers a choice of displays. Marchman recommends a modern helmet that can exploit the sensor’s wide field of view, but will also offer customers other options such as showing the image on an integrated multifunction display or a stand-alone screen.
Peter Donaldson.
