Also Wins PMA For Infrared Imaging EVS
L-3 Communications told
ANN recently its L-3 Avionics Systems (L-3 Avionics) subsidiary has
received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the
IRISTM infrared imaging system aboard the King Air C-90, as well as
Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) from the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA).
"Since its introduction in October, IRIS has generated
tremendous interest," said Adrienne Stevens, President of L-3
Avionics. "The King Air C-90 STC is just the beginning. We have
additional installation and certification efforts underway for many
different platforms."
The STC approval has been performed by L-3 Communications
Aeromet in Tulsa, OK with Designated Alteration Station (DAS)
services provided by L-3 Communications Integrated Systems in
Greenville, TX. The current STC covers the IRIS system displayed on
the KMD 850, and L-3 is actively pursuing additional display
options. L-3 Avionics is contracting with a Designated Engineering
Representative (DER) service to help expand the scope of aircraft
applicability for the current STC, while continuing its
certification efforts for other aircraft make and models.
"The patented L-3 technology makes IRIS the best Enhanced Vision
System (EVS) for General Aviation on the market," said Ms. Stevens.
"It's affordable, proven technology, with excellent image clarity,
solar immunity and a continuous image."
This revolutionary system provides improved visibility of almost
any object, day or night. IRIS displays a real-time, gray scale
image of the runway environment, other aircraft, terrain, people,
animals and obstacles on a cockpit display. These images provide
pilots with better situational awareness during taxi and ramp
operations and an additional horizon reference during departure and
approach. At night and during poor visibility conditions, IRIS
helps pilots see obstacles that are invisible to the naked eye.
During the day, pilots can see obstacles otherwise obscured by
bright oncoming light or solar glare.
IRIS' patented Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) detector
technology offers unsurpassed image clarity of 320 x 240 pixels.
This generates the lowest spatial noise under the most challenging
conditions and guarantees a clear image. Unlike other infrared
systems that feature microbolometer technology, BST technology
makes IRIS immune to solar radiation and provides an uninterrupted,
continuously calibrated image, even during turns and maneuvers.
Competing infrared technologies periodically cycle a shutter for
recalibration, which causes images to be washed out and
unusable.