Reducing Black Hawk Desert Brownout Accidents
Honeywell Synthetic Vision Selected to Reduce Black Hawk Helicopter Accidents Caused by Desert Brownouts
Integrated Primary Flight Display Technology Selected for DARPA’s
Sandblaster Program
PARIS, June 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — PARIS AIR SHOW — Honeywell
(NYSE: HON) announced today that it has been selected by Sikorsky Aircraft
Corp. to develop and integrate synthetic vision technology to improve
helicopter landings in brownout conditions as part of the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Sandblaster program.
Under the terms of the $6.9 million, 18-month contract, Honeywell will
design and demonstrate a synthetic vision system for the Black Hawk
helicopter cockpit that enhances situational awareness and reduces the
workload for pilots operating aircraft in degraded visual environments.
“Taking-off and landing in arid desert terrain during brownouts can
lead to obscured vision, disorientation and accidents,” said Vicki
Panhuise, Vice President, Commercial and Military Helicopters, Honeywell
Defense and Space. “This technology development program addresses vital
warfighter needs to help ensure safer helicopter missions.”
Honeywell’s technology will integrate radar-based sensor information
with terrain and obstacle data to provide a highly detailed
three-dimensional graphic view of the landing environment on a primary
flight display, regardless of outside conditions. The synthetic screen,
overlaid with advanced symbology indicating current and predicted flight
conditions, will help pilots land the aircraft without using outside visual
reference points.
Panhuise added, “Honeywell has been a leader in helicopter safety for
50 years. Developing this technology for the Sandblaster program is one of
the many ways we are investing in new technologies to make flying safer,
easier and more effective. Our goal is to continue reducing both military
and civilian helicopter accidents.”
Honeywell plans to market its synthetic vision technology commercially
by 2010.
Honeywell International is a $33 billion diversified technology and
manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products
and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry;
automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in
Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York,
London and Chicago Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up
the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard &
Poor’s 500 Index. For additional information, please visit
http://www.honeywell.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements about
future business operations, financial performance and market conditions.
Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties inherent in
business forecasts as further described in our filings under the Securities
Exchange Act.
Media Contacts:
Jim O’Leary Bill Reavis
602.365.5930 602.365.2055
jim.o’leary@honeywell.com bill.reavis@honeywell.com
SOURCE Honeywell