Citation
(2007), "Reducing Black Hawk helicopter accidents caused by desert brownouts", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 79 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2007.12779fab.018
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Reducing Black Hawk helicopter accidents caused by desert brownouts
Reducing Black Hawk helicopter accidents caused by desert brownouts
Honeywell recently announced that it has been selected by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to develop and integrate synthetic vision technology to improve helicopter landings in brownout conditions as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Sandblaster program.
Under the terms of the $6.9 million, 18-month contract, Honeywell will design and demonstrate a synthetic vision system for the Black Hawk helicopter cockpit that enhances situational awareness and reduces the workload for pilots operating aircraft in degraded visual environments.
“Taking-off and landing in arid desert terrain during brownouts can lead to obscured vision, disorientation and accidents,” said Vicki Panhuise, vice president, Commercial and Military Helicopters, Honeywell Defense and Space. “This technology development program addresses vital warfighter needs to help ensure safer helicopter missions.”
Honeywell's technology will integrate radar-based sensor information with terrain and obstacle data to provide a highly detailed three-dimensional graphic view of the landing environment on a primary flight display, regardless of outside conditions. The synthetic screen, overlaid with advanced symbology indicating current and predicted flight conditions, will help pilots land the aircraft without using outside visual reference points.
Panhuise added, “Honeywell has been a leader in helicopter safety for 50 years. Developing this technology for the Sandblaster program is one of the many ways we are investing in new technologies to make flying safer, easier and more effective. Our goal is to continue reducing both military and civilian helicopter accidents.”
Honeywell plans to market its synthetic vision technology commercially by 2010.