Rockwell Collins plans to shake up the market for enhanced vision systems (EVS) at NBAA this year with the unveiling of the EVS-3000, a new offering that features a multispectral sensor capable of detecting the LED lighting that airports have started using in greater numbers to illuminate runways.
The ability of the EVS-3000 to detect the full spectrum of LED lights used at these airports is an industry first, says the Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based avionics manufacturer. The capability is achieved by designing the sensor to access a broader spectrum of infrared wavelengths, which gives a more accurate view of the terrain outside the aircraft in fog and under low-visibility conditions.
The EVS-3000 is the “most advanced, highest fidelity EVS sensor for commercial aviation,” says Jeff Standerski, Rockwell Collins’ vice-president and general manager, business and regional systems.
The new EVS will enter service in 2015 on an aircraft type that will be revealed during the NBAA show in Las Vegas on 21 October. This aircraft will use the EVS-3000 in tandem with the compact HGS-3500 head-up guidance system first introduced to the market in 2011. The EVS is also compatible with head-down displays.
One prominent feature of the EVS-3000 is that it does not need the built-in mechanical cooling system that other EVS products traditionally require to see heat. The absence of that system will cut down on the power the aircraft uses and the weight of the EVS system, says Rockwell Collins. The manufacturer estimates that the 10lb (4.54kg) EVS-3000 is approximately half as heavy as other EVS systems on the market.
“We’re bringing unprecedented accuracy in sensing what’s ahead during critical phases of flight,” said Craig Olson, senior director, head-up guidance systems for Rockwell Collins. “At the same time, operators will experience enhanced reliability and lower cost of ownership from our lower weight, more energy-efficient EVS solution.”
Rockwell Collins says it is working to eventually provide a version of the EVS that overlays the synthetic vision system (SVS) of the Pro Line Fusion flight deck with the EVS view.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
