Stefano Lontaro, Vice President for International Sales of Selex Communications provides an important update on Selex Communications Laser Obstacle Avoidance system for helicopter safety.
Dr. Stephen Bryen, President of Finmeccanica Inc. and Maurizio Tucci, CEO of Selex Communications, hold the Flight International 2005 Aerospace Industry Award for Avionics and Electronics. The award is sponsored by Flight International and was presented at the Pavillon d'Armenonville in Paris at the Le Bourget Air Show. The Award was presented for the Laser Obstacle Avoidance system (LOAM) developed by Selex Communications, a Finmeccanica company.
The LOAM system is capable of classifying thin obstacles such as telephone and electrical cables as small as 5mm in diameter at a maximum range of 2000m. The system can distinguish vertical obstacles such as trees, pillars, and pylons, as well as extended obstacles such as bridges, buildings and hills independent of orientation. Obstacle detection probability is greater then 99.5% with up to 20 seconds warning before predicted impact.
LOAM works on the "laser radar" rather than RF emission principle using an eye safe laser that scans the area around the helicopter flight path. The LOAM field of view is greater then 40x30 degrees and is automatically oriented in larger Field of Regards to anticipate future helicopter motion. Using an innovative echo analysis and sophisticated scan technique, the system performs an analysis to determine the presence of obstacles.
LOAM is the lightest and smallest obstacle warning system on the market, suitable to be installed on all main rotary wing or vertical lift platforms, used in attack reconnaissance/surveillance, support and transport operations. LOAM allows integration flexibility, including standalone and integrated configurations on multiple helicopter types. LOAM installation is very simple, not requiring accurate system alignment or complex tuning on board of the aircraft.
In recent competitions, the LOAM has been selected for the Italian MoD NH90TTH helicopter, for the Danish EH101 helicopters and the for UK autonomous flight Programme. LOAM is currently in production.
The Flight International Award for Avionics and Electronics is given to the company in this field representing "genuine technological advancement, demonstrated or likely practicality of implementation, and clear benefits in terms of safety, economics or efficiency." Details of the award are available at www.theaerospaceawards.com
About Selex Communications
Selex Communications (formerly Selenia Communications), led by CEO Maurizio Tucci, is based in Italy. The company also has production facilities in Latina, Chelmsford (UK), Ploiesti (Romania), Ankara (Turkey) and Backnang (Germany). Selex Communications employs over 5,000 staff, including 1,000 in the UK. The company was enlarged and renamed recently with the acquisition of BAE SYSTEMS'(TM) secure communications operations.
Congratulations on being a Blog of Note and seeing an event like this, stay as enthusiastic as you are now.
Posted by: Term Paper | March 05, 2010 at 11:35 PM
yeah, it is suitable to be installed on all main rotary wing or vertical lift platforms, used in attack reconnaissance/surveillance, support and transport operations. LOAM allows integration flexibility, including standalone and integrated configurations on multiple helicopter types.
Posted by: Green Laser Pointers | January 28, 2011 at 11:18 PM