November 8, 2005
Kollsman's Vision-Based Cockpit Takes Flight
MERRIMACK, NH - Kollsman recently announced that their new Vision-Based Cockpit™ (VBC) has taken flight in the company's test aircraft. The VBC was specifically developed by Kollsman to address future airspace challenges and to simplify and improve aircraft operation. The VBC family of products is on static display in Kollsman's test aircraft and in their booth at the NBAA 2005 Annual Convention in Orlando.
Bob Di Meo, Kollsman's Program Director and Chief Pilot noted, "The Kollsman Vision-Based Cockpit™ provides the pilot with a new level of intuitive and increased situation awareness…the guess work and worry are in the past. Flying the Vision-Based Cockpit™ is a major contributor in increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. You wonder how you ever managed to fly without it."
Flight tests are being conducted to validate the systems compatibility with multiple avionics products and evaluate operational use in flight.
The All Weather Window® EFVS component, mounted in the nose of the aircraft, is designed to improve night and low visibility instrument approach operations in accordance with FAR91.175.
The µ-ViS HUD™ component is used to display EVS imagery and flight guidance symbology. This product greatly reduces the size and weight of current HUD technology.
The GAViS™ component, mounted externally like an antenna, is a compact General Aviation Vision System designed for night operational safety, situation awareness and lower visibility conditions.
The ESViS™ component is viewed on a head-down display, providing the pilot with a wide field-of-view of synthetic terrain and obstacles, integrated with EVS imagery in the center.
Randy Moore, Kollsman's Executive Vice President and General Manager, said "The Vision-Based Cockpit is an example of the powerful synergy obtained when innovative technologies are combined with visionary ideas. We're excited to have the VBC take flight in on our own flying test bed. Kollsman is committed to continuing the development of future cockpit technologies."
Kollsman, an Elbit Systems of America company, headquartered in Merrimack, New Hampshire, is a multi-disciplined research, development, manufacturing and support organization which provides advanced aviation systems to U.S. and foreign commercial and military markets. For every class of aircraft, it is Kollsman's goal to develop the technology necessary to help improve the safety of flight.
Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT), the parent company of the Elbit Systems Group, is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the world, in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, C4ISR, advanced electro-optic and space technologies. The company focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and developing new technologies for defense and homeland security applications. In recent years, the Elbit Systems Group has greatly expanded its commercial aviation business through Kollsman.
For Information Contact:
Liz Dottery
Tel: 603-886-2273
E-mail: ldottery@kollsman.com
