QinetiQ Demonstrates New Low-Visibility Technology for Helicopter Pilots

QinetiQ has successfully flight trialed an integrated flight-guidance technology meant to provide helicopter pilots with imaging information in low visibility conditions.

When added to a suite of navigational and tactical guidance aids it also is developing, QinetiQ believes, the technology, called DNAE (day night all environment), can considerably expand the existing operational envelope of a rotor-wing aircraft.

DNAE uses color-panoramic NVGs (night vision goggles) combined with a head-tracking system, precision navigation, flight-path guidance, and conformal, task dependent, symbology, along with onboard mission planning and route generation, all integrated into a single system.  Other symbology  can also be included to provide earth-referenced markers of obstacles and other points of interest, QinetiQ says.

The pilot views a "wire frame" projected into the NVGs, which defines a "safe corridor," through which to fly.  Dedicated landing symbology enables more accurate helicopter positioning during hover, as well as control of descent rate and drift.

In addition, inputs from thermal imaging and low-light TV sensors are fused in real-time to provide optimum imaging on the pilot's head-down displays.

The real-time adaptive image fusion process along with all other technical aspects of the program underwent a variety of qualitative and quantitative assessments during the flight trials, to determine the performance of the system and the capability it provides.

The system has been designed to enable "add on" upgrades to current helicopter platforms.  10-26-2007.

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