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The defence contractor has unveiled a new vision suite for fifth-generation helicopters.
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Elbit Systems has announced the launch of a new range of vision systems for military helicopters, integrating sensor array, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered mission computer, and a helmet-mounted display (HMD) system.
The technology is designed to enable helicopter pilots to see through the body of the aircraft, offering real-time, clear, coloured wide-field view during day and night operations.
This aims to bolster capability across low-altitude flights during degraded visibility conditions.
Specifically, the new technology suite includes:
- Elbit X-Sight Helmet Mounted Display (HMD): a new AI-powered mission computer for real-time data fusion and machine learning of obstacles and threats as well as for running operational applications; and
- an integrated array of sensor systems combining the Xplore radar with the operational BrightNite multi-spectral payload.
The Xplore is billed as a compact airborne radar that can be installed onboard any aircraft enabling flight during all visibility conditions.
The radar is designed to generate a synthetic picture of flight route terrain, in a bid to provide advanced warning of obstacles, including power lines and antennas.
The BrightNite and the Xplore radar, installed on the helicopter’s nose, provides a wide-angle view of the flight path.
The AI-powered mission computer leverages the sensors’ information and the preinstalled maps, flight and mission data, presenting on the visor of the X-Sight HMD a real-time colour picture that includes an augmented reality overlay.
The technology enables pilots to switch between operational applications, depending on visibility or weather conditions.
“The new technology provides a step-change in several aspects,” Elbit noted in a statement.
“It enables pilots with the ability to extract and optimise the information provided by a range of different sensors (thermal, radar, laser); it exploits AI and fusion capabilities to process multiple information feeds into a single unified video picture; and it provides helicopter pilot with a binocular wide field of view HMD.”
According to Elbit, the new technological suite was designed within an open architecture in full compliance with US military standards for both hardware and software.
[Related: Elbit Systems tapped to deliver DIRCM, airborne EW capability ]
