CMC Electronics (Hall 5, Stand B19), formerly BAE Systems Canada, is developing a fully integrated enhanced vision system (EVS) for general-aviation, military and air transport aircraft equipped with head-up displays (HUDs).
EVS overlays a transparent image on the HUD to enable the pilot to see both the HUD imagery and the terrain and airport in poor visibility.
Demonstration flights of the infra-red (IR) imaging system in the USA last month showed that the infra-red sensor could significantly improve pilot vision during poor-visibility approaches, take-offs, taxiing and parking.
According to CMC president and CEO Jim Close, the flights gave very good data. "We are planning to fly on at least two business jets and are contracting for a flying testbed for our own data collection," he says.
Market
"We see the initial market being the business jet sector - they have a good deal of money to spend. Beyond that, we see the system entering the air transport and cargo markets, where landing delays cost money."
The company has developed a small IR sensor that can be installed under the aircraft's radome to detect subtle thermal gradients in the terrain ahead. The Infra-red Enhanced Vision System (IR-EVS) represents the first stage in a modular development. It will be followed closely by the Millimetre Wave Imaging Radar (MWIR), which is where the CMC product differs from those of its competitors.
Source: Flight Daily News