PAS 2011: Elbit partners on next-generation helicopter project

Elbit Systems has provided its CockpitNG to a major helicopter OEM as part of a joint research and development (R&D) project for a next-generation helicopter.

At the Paris Air Show the company displayed the fully-developed version of the CockpitNG, which features a large touch-screen, central display that provides all avionic components in one suite.

Speaking to Shephard, Reuven Alon, VP for marketing and business development at Elbit Systems, revealed that the company had delivered one system to the OEM for integration onto the helicopter.

‘It is a joint R&D programme in order to evaluate this powerful technology for use on a next-generation helicopter,' Alon said.

While he would not confirm which helicopter OEM was involved in the project, Alon added that a second system had also been provided to a major fighter aircraft manufacturer for evaluation.

The CockpitNG features a 22" high definition display that displays the same information provided by five standard 6"x8" displays seen on current glass cockpit configurations.

The display is fully integrated with helmet-mounted and heads-up displays, and employs ‘i-phone-like' click-and-drag touch-screen technology.

Alon said the modular solution helped to reduce aircrew workload and could be tailored to multiple platforms.

The company is also highlighting its Embedded Virtual Avionics (EVA) technology, which uses synthetic data displayed directly onto its Targo helmet to allow new pilots to be trained on various mission scenarios.

Meanwhile, the company used the air show to announce it had been awarded a $15 million to supply its ELT/572 directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system to the Italian Air Force.

Delivered over the next three years, the systems, which is based on Elbit's MUSIC system, will be installed on AW101, C-130J and C-27J aircraft.