CAE and Neptec successfully demonstrate AVS technology to address helicopter operations in brownout conditions
28 April 2009 - 11:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
- Augmented Visionics System designed to enable safer helicopter
operations in near-zero visibility MONTREAL, April 28
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (NYSE: CGT; TSX: CAE) - CAE and Neptec
Design Group today announced the successful demonstration of
Neptec's Obscurant Penetrating Autosynchronous LIDAR (OPAL) sensor
that is integrated into CAE's Augmented Visionics System (AVS).
CAE's AVS solution is being developed to enable helicopter pilots
to operate safely in the most extreme conditions, including landing
in brownouts when dust recirculation caused by rotor downwash
obscures the pilot's view during critical maneuvering operations at
very low altitudes. During recent testing at the United States
Department of Defense (DoD) Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona,
Neptec's OPAL was used to successfully penetrate dust clouds
generated by the UH-1 test helicopter. More importantly, OPAL could
"see through" brownout conditions opaque to the human eye to easily
differentiate between rocks, bushes, sloping terrain, utility
poles, ground vehicles, and wires at distances greater than 200
meters. The high-resolution detail returned by OPAL provides
situational awareness critical to helicopter pilots when attempting
to land in near-zero visibility conditions. CAE's AVS solution
combines Neptec's OPAL as well as other sensors such as
forward-looking infrared (FLIR) with the CAE-developed common
database (CDB), which was originally developed for the United
States Special Operations Command to support rapid, correlated
database production. The fundamental concept for CAE's AVS solution
is to take OPAL's 3D sensor data and update the CDB for real-time
processing of a synthetic image showing the area surrounding the
helicopter, including terrain and potential obstacles. "CAE is best
known for the development of high-fidelity synthetic environments
created for use in full-mission simulators used for training and
mission rehearsal exercises," said Adolfo Klassen, CAE's Chief
Technology Officer. "Our AVS technology development is an
innovative application of our synthetic environment expertise that
brings a high-fidelity synthetic image into the cockpit in
real-time to address all operations in degraded visibility." "We
are excited to work with a global leader such as CAE. This
partnership is a good example of two industry experts coming
together to solve a mission-critical problem and ultimately help
save lives," said Dr. Iain Christie, President, Neptec. "With the
incredible resolution OPAL delivers, pilots will be able to view
wires and cables down to a quarter inch size through brownouts,
providing a natural view of the landing environment." Further
development of the AVS technology is part of CAE's recently
announced Project Falcon, a C$714 million dollar research and
development program at CAE that will span the next five years. The
goal of Project Falcon is to expand CAE's current modeling and
simulation technologies and develop new applications for these
technologies, such as the AVS solution. As part of the AVS
development, CAE and Neptec have signed an exclusive joint
development agreement. Specializing in advanced space, defense and
industrial systems and applications, Neptec maintains a reputation
of quality and reliability in the design, manufacturing,
installation and support of its sensor systems with the Space
Shuttle, International Space Station, and other major space
programs. With new solutions for aerospace, defense and industry,
Neptec, a NASA prime contractor, continues to be a pioneer in the
innovative use of mission critical systems and applications.
http://www.neptec.com/ CAE is a world leader in providing
simulation and modelling technologies and integrated training
solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces around
the globe. With annual revenues exceeding C$1.4 billion, CAE
employs approximately 7,000 people at more than 75 sites and
training locations in 20 countries. We have the largest installed
base of civil and military full-flight simulators and training
devices. Through our global network of 27 civil aviation and
military training centres, we train more than 75,000 crewmembers
yearly. We also offer modelling and simulation software to various
market segments and, through CAE's professional services division,
we assist customers with a wide range of simulation-based needs.
http://www.cae.com/ High resolution photos available at
cae.com/photos DATASOURCE: Neptec Design Group CONTACT: CAE
contacts: Nathalie Bourque, Vice President, Public Affairs and
Global Communications, CAE, (514) 734-5788, ; Trade media: Chris
Stellwag, Director, Marketing Communications, Simulation Products
and Military Training & Services, CAE, (813) 887-1242, ;
Investor relations: Andrew Arnovitz, Vice President, Investor
Relations and Strategy, CAE, (514) 734-5760, ; Neptec contacts:
Jason Di Tommaso, Vice President, Global Marketing and Strategic
Development, Neptec, (613) 599-7602, ext. 361, ; Trade media for
Neptec: Cerys Goodall, High Road Communications, (416) 644-2254,
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