This paper describes the integration of a Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) system on a civil certified H145 (BK117 D-2) helicopter. The DVE system consists of a LiDAR, an EVS camera and a head-tracked head/helmet mounted display system (HMD) integrated into the Helionix digital avionics suite. The DVE system presents a head-up display of flight symbology combined with Enhanced Vision System (EVS) imagery and 3D conformal symbology based on fused LiDAR and database data. The DVE system also provides a Combined Vision System (CVS) display on the Helionix head-down displays. All sensors were prototypically integrated into the H145 demonstrator in a serial-like manner, allowing for a potential serialization of the system. The flight trials were conducted focusing on military as well as on civil HEMS missions and were used to verify the intended function and evaluate installed DVE system performance.
Helicopter operations at low altitude are to this day only performed under VFR conditions in which safe piloting of the
aircraft relies on the pilot’s visual perception of the outside environment. However, there are situations in which a
deterioration of visibility conditions may cause the pilot to lose important visual cues thereby increasing workload and
compromising flight safety and mission effectiveness. This paper reports on a pilot assistance system for all phases of
flight which is intended to:
• Provide navigational support and mission management
• Support landings/take-offs in unknown environment and in DVE
• Enhance situational awareness in DVE
• Provide obstacle and terrain surface detection and warning
• Provide upload, sensor based update and download of database information for debriefing and later missions.
The system comprises a digital terrain and obstacle database, tactical information, flight plan management combined
with an active 3D sensor enabling the above mentioned functionalities. To support pilots during operations in DVE, an
intuitive 3D/2D cueing through both head-up and head-down means is proposed to retain situational awareness. This
paper further describes the system concept and will elaborate on results of simulator trials in which the functionality was
evaluated by operational pilots in realistic and demanding scenarios such as a SAR mission to be performed in
mountainous area under different visual conditions. The objective of the simulator trials was to evaluate the functional
integration and HMI definition for the NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter.
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