The Italian defence ministry will complete certification of Selenia Communications' (formerly Marconi Selenia Communications) laser obstacle avoidance and monitoring (LOAM) system this year for initial use on its NH Industries NH90 and AgustaWestland EH101 utility helicopters.
Developed under the NH90 programme's multinational requirement for an obstacle warning system, the LOAM design uses an eye-safe laser radar system that scans the flightpath in front of the aircraft twice per second with vertical and horizontal fields-of-view of 30¡ and 40¡ respectively. A patented algorithm is used to identify possible obstacles before the system provides the crew with audio and visual warnings.
The system can also look ahead while the aircraft is turning by using a ±20¡ steering capability in both the vertical and horizontal planes.
Selenia Communications says its LOAM - also referred to as the LOA-1000 - can classify and distinguish between structures, trees and telephone and electrical wires with a diameter as small as 5mm from detection ranges of 50-2,000m (160-6,560ft). The system weighs 24kg (53lb), including interface units. The Italian defence ministry and Selenia Communications conducted first trials of the production-standard LOAM last October using an Italian army Agusta/Bell AB212 helicopter. Further evaluation trials are planned for early this year ahead of a completion of certification activities around mid-year.
LUCAPERUZZI/ GENOA
Source: Flight International
