Lockheed Martin Tests Advanced Pilotage System
Lockheed Martin tells ANN the company's Pathfinder flight team
successfully completed the first flight of its fully integrated
Pathfinder advanced pilotage system on an Army HH-60L Black Hawk
medevac helicopter at Felker Army Airfield, Fort Eustis, VA.
This first flight marks the beginning of the developmental test
phase for the state-of-the-art cargo and utility aircraft pilotage
system, derived from the AH-64D Apache's Modernized Pilot Night
Vision Sensor (M-PNVS). Test pilots and flight engineers from the
US Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate are evaluating
Pathfinder's technical readiness level for application on cargo and
utility aircraft.
"In the short time we have been at Fort Eustis, we already have
demonstrated Pathfinder's pilotage capability as a fully integrated
sensor system for the Army's cargo and utility helicopter
community," said Monty Watson, Pathfinder program manager at
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "It will be a great
asset for Warfighters."
Following the developmental testing, Army aircrews will
participate in a limited user test to evaluate the system in an
operational environment. The aircrews will come from the US Army
Reserve 159th Aviation Regiment in Clearwater, FL. Lockheed Martin
is leading an industry team that includes BAE Systems, Elbit-Fort
Worth and Thales.
"Flight safety is the single most important facet of any
heliborne mission," said Bob Gunning, vice president of Apache
programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "When you
can see better, you can naturally operate more safely and more
confidently in any environment. With its high reliability and its
unique array of options, Pathfinder allows you to do just
that."
Pathfinder incorporates the combat-proven technology of the
Lockheed Martin Modernized Target Acquisition Designation
Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system, also known as
Arrowhead, which is currently integrated and deployed on the AH-64D
Apache helicopter. Pathfinder significantly increases situational
awareness and reduces pilot workload through a head-up, eyes-out,
helmet-mounted display.
With an exceptionally wide field of view, Pathfinder is the only
forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system designed and developed
specifically to support terrain flight and terminal operations in
unimproved landing areas during reduced visibility conditions. Its
high definition resolution allows pilots to fly at safer altitudes
and airspeeds while providing the necessary information to complete
complex missions while avoiding obstacles such as wires, poles and
trees.
The Pathfinder advanced pilotage system also has a Visible/Near
Infrared (V/NIR) camera that enhances situational awareness in low
light conditions by blending the V/NIR sensor video with Pathfinder
FLIR. Pilots can now see cultural and military lighting, providing
aircrews enhanced mission capability and safer flying conditions.
The sensor also allows aviators to see laser pointers, improving
coordination with ground units.
The Pathfinder turret mounts readily on the helicopter's chin
using a kit consisting of three line-replaceable modules. Eleven of
the 14 line-replaceable modules are entirely common with the AH-64D
Apache's M-PNVS system, creating a unique synergy with the
established M-TADS/PNVS production line and worldwide performance
based logistics sustainment base.