BAE Picks Mercury Vision Display

BAE Systems selected Mercury Computer Systems' Synthetic Vision display for a rotorcraft brownout landing system. Rotorcraft brownouts are blinding dust clouds that result from helicopter rotor downwash, or the forcing of air downward during liftoff in dry, dusty terrain. It's blinding to pilots, who can't see outside references needed to control aircraft near the ground during landing and take-off. With its Morphing Terrain Engine, Mercury's Synthetic Vision display will be integrated with a radar sensor from BAE Systems. When terrain and obstacles are detected, Mercury's Synthetic Vision will generate a computerized 3D terrain map drawn from databases and sensor readings. "We're pleased to be working with Mercury to help solve the very serious challenge civilian and military helicopter pilots face when trying to safely land in zero-visibility conditions," John McKelvey, business development director for Defense Avionics at BAE Systems, said in a statement. This is Synthetic Vision's second design win from BAE Systems, following one in March. Flight tests for the rotorcraft brownout landing system will begin in 2008.