Some of the Helicopters will be Equipped with Line of Sight Systems, improving situational display and coordination between crewmembers
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) announced it has been awarded a contract to supply ANVIS/HUD systems for the Israeli Air Force Blackhawk (“Yanshuf”) and CH 53 (“Yasur”) helicopters. The project is scheduled to be completed within 2009. Part of these systems will implement the new ‘Line of Sight (LOS) control’ feature recently introduced for the ANVIS/HUD, controlling payloads and other systems on board to the pilot’s line of sight.
The new Head-up Display systems will enable the helicopter pilot to fly “head out of the cockpit”, day & night, while having all the flight data projected onto the helmet mounted visor. The display enhances the crew’s situational awareness and thus improves flight safety, particularly in challenging conditions, particularly during formation flight, takeoff and landing such as at night or under bad weather conditions limiting visibility.
The system will implement the new ‘Line of Sight (LOS) control’ feature recently introduced for the ANVIS/HUD, controlling payloads and other systems on board to the pilot’s line of sight. For example, this feature correlates the pilot’s line of sight with on board navigation cues, for designating navigation waypoints, targets, threats or other points of interest with intelligence value along the flight route in real-time.
Additionally, the system improves pilot coordination by allowing each crew member to track the other’s line of sight, eliminating the need for distracting intercome among the crew. To date Elbit Systems delivered over 6,000 ANVIS/HUD systems to various helicopter types.
The company anticipates its new Line of Sight (LOS) feature will be applicable for many of these helicopters. Both attack and tactical transport helicopters have already been supplied wit the systems.
