Synthetic vision system solves ‘brownout’

Rotorcraft brownouts are intense dust clouds that result from helicopter rotor downwash. As a result, pilots cannot see nearby objects that provide the outside visual references necessary to control the aircraft near the ground during landing and take off operations. Mercury’s synthetic vision display, including its patent pending Morphing Terrain Engine, will be integrated with a radar sensor from BAE Systems. When terrain and obstacles are detected, the synthetic vision system will generate a computerised 3d terrain map drawn from databases and sensor readings, enabling pilots to ‘see’ the surrounding terrain and obstacles, whether or not they have visibility. “We’re pleased to be working with Mercury to help solve the very serious challenge civilian and military helicopter pilots face when trying to safely land in zero visibility conditions,” said John McKelvey, BAE Systems’ business development director for defense avionics. “This contract expands our breadth of engagement to provide a viable, dependable solution to a growing problem that affects all rotorcraft that take off and land in arid conditions, from medflight crews to deployed military troops.”