Rogerson Kratos is upgrading its helicopter flat-panel display systems to handle video and moving maps. The improvements are being developed for the Bell 412 and will be incorporated later in the 427.
Video input capability will allow the company's integrated instrument display systems (IIDS) to handle forward-looking infrared images, increasingly required by law enforcement, news gathering and other markets.
The displays will also be able to support digital maps and the terrain avoidance warning system, as well as radar.
Rogerson's dual-screen IIDS is installed on the Bell 412, 427 and 430, as well as the Agusta A109 Power. A flat-panel electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) is also available on the Bell helicopters. The 430 has been certificated for dual-pilot instrument flight rules operation with a six-screen EFIS/IIDS.
The Irvine, California-based company is also developing a large-screen display system for the Bell 412. This has four 260mm (10.4in)-diagonal liquid-crystal displays. Certification is scheduled for December.
Rogerson plans to have 300mm-diagonal displays available by the year end. With 300 aircraft now flying with its flat-panel displays, the company is moving to set up a worldwide dealer network to provide customer support.
Source: Flight International
