Three Additional HELLAS Systems Delivered To Royal Thai Air Force

Three additional Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) helicopters will soon be equipped with EADS' HELLAS (Helicopter Laser Radar) system, an obstacle warning system designed to detect obstacles like high-volatge power lines that are virtually invisible for pilots. HELLAS improves safety under difficult visibility conditions.

EADS HELLAS System Installed

In 2005, Defence Electronics, an integrated activity of EADS Defense & Security (DS) division delivered three obstacle warning systems to the Royal Thai Air Force, which have been integrated into Bell 412 helicopters. The HELLAS systems currently on order be installed on-board Sikorsky S-92 helicopters for the first time in Thailand.

"HELLAS enables pilots to detect and avoid the smallest of obstacles, even when visibility is bad, thus offering crucial protection against one of the main causes of helicopter accidents," explains Bernd Wenzler, CEO of Defence Electronics.

The HELLAS obstacle warning system was specifically developed for helicopters. It has been used for many years in German Federal Police helicopters and in 14 civil defence aircraft. HELLAS scans the airspace ahead of the helicopter using a laser beam that poses no danger to the human eye. It detects even extremely thin wires with a high accuracy from distances of up to 3,000 feet. On the HELLAS display, the pilot sees a grey-scale, in-depth image of the landscape in front of the helicopter. Potential obstacles are displayed in a red signal color so that the helicopter crew can identify and avoid them.

FMI: www.eads.com