Selenia Communications, a Leading Defense Electronics Company, Introduces Helicopter Safety System; Helps Pilots Avoid Wires and Other Obstacles.WASHINGTON -- Selenia Communications, previously Marconi Selenia Communcations (www.seleniacommunications.com), a Finmeccanica company specializing in electronics and communications, is introducing into the U.S. military and civil marketplace a new advanced technology product enabling helicopters to fly more safely. Based on sophisticated laser and imaging technology, the Selenia Laser Obstacle Avoidance In robotics, obstacle avoidance is the task of satisfying some control objective subject to non-intersection or non-collision position constraints. Normally obstacle avoidance is considered to be distinct from path planning in that one is usually implemented as a reactive control (LOA-1000) system directs helicopters away from dangerous obstacles. The number one cause of helicopter crashes are wirestrikes. One of the main advantages of a helicopter is its capability to hover An option in Microsoft Internet Explorer that removes the permanent underline from hypertext links. The underline displays automatically and only when the cursor is placed over (hovers over) the link. Hover is available in Tools/Internet Options/Advanced/Underline links. , fly low, and operate in restricted areas. A variety of military, law enforcement, search and rescue, and medical evacuation helicopters daily operate over most major cities and routinely work in a very hostile environment See: operational environment. of wires, cables, bridges, and buildings. Between 1990-2003 NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. and Helicopter Association International The Helicopter Association International (HAI) is a not-for-profit, professional trade association of 1,450-plus member organizations in more than 68 nations. Since 1948, HAI provides its membership with services that directly benefit their operations and advances the civil data show there were 289 reported helicopter wirestrikes in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. alone. Wires can be very difficult to see, even in daytime. A wire's visibility is affected by sunlight, ice, masking terrain and changes in perspective. The ability of a pilot to judge the distance from a wire is virtually impossible and many accidents have been attributed to misjudgment mis·judge v. mis·judged, mis·judg·ing, mis·judg·es v.tr. To judge wrongly. v.intr. To be wrong in judging. of the distance from a wire or obstacle. The Selenia LOA-1000 detects potentially dangerous obstacles placed in or near the flight path of helicopters and warns the crew in sufficient time to avoid a collision. LOA-1000 is capable of classifying thin obstacles such as telephone and electrical cables as small as 5mm in diameter. LOA-1000 can distinguish vertical objects such as trees, pillars and pylons as well as extended obstacles such as bridges, buildings and hills. LOA-1000 works on the "laser radar laser radar n. See lidar. " rather than an RF emission principle using an eye-safe laser that scans the area around the helicopter's flight path. Using an innovative software algorithm the system performs an echo analysis to determine the presence of obstacles. Based on the range and the helicopter's flight path LOA-1000 identifies high priority obstacles, notifies the crew and if necessary issues an impact warning. LOA-1000 is capable of detecting objects independently from their orientation and can be adjusted to compensate for specific background conditions. LOA-1000 has a maximum detection range of 2000 meters and a minimum detection range under 50 meters. LOA-1000 provides the critical seconds necessary to avoid collision with the obstacle. LOA-1000 effectively creates a safety zone around the helicopter. LOA-1000 has undergone a vigorous development and testing program. Beginning with a feasibility study "A Feasibility Study" is an episode of the original The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on 13 April, 1964, during the first season. It was remade in 1997 as part of the revived The Outer Limits series with a minor title change. conducted in cooperation with Italy's Army Aviation (AVES), Selenia Communications conducted a comprehensive analysis of all possible technical and technological solutions which were then validated through prototype development and testing. The LOA-1000 system has been chosen for Italy's tactical transport helicopter the NH90-TTH program and has been selected by AgustaWestland for Denmark's medium lift helicopter (EH101 program). Additionally, Selenia is involved in a full development project with the Italian Ministry of Defense and Italy's Naval EH101 program is being prepared for the LOA-1000 system. About Selenia Communications Selenia Communications, a Finmeccanica company, is one of the largest defense communications companies Communications Company is a communications unit of the United States Marine Corps. They are part of Combat Logistics Regiment 37 , 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3MLG) and III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF). The unit is based out of the Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. . Finmecannica is a leader in the design and manufacture of military aircraft, helicopters, space systems, satellites, missiles and defense electronics. With annual revenue of 10 billion dollars, Finmeccanica is a key European player in the aerospace and defense industry. For more information see www.finmec.com and www.seleniacomms.com, or call Catherine Gantt at 202/223-0045. |
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