Elbit Systems of America tells ANN that their 500th Enhanced Vision System (EVS) is now operating within the Gulfstream family of aircraft. Kollsman and Gulfstream began their mutual commitment to this industry leading technology eight years ago and today there are 464 Gulfstream aircraft flying with EVS I and 36 Gulfstream aircraft flying with EVS II. Additionally, Elbit notes that EVS is a 'key enabler' in the Air Transport market, with plans to install EVS in all FedEx aircraft.

Gulfstream and Kollsman made history by certifying the first EVS on business jets in 2001, and with the recent certification of the G-150, the Kollsman EVS II is now offered as a standard fit or option on all Gulfstream models of aircraft.

Elbit Systems of America President and CEO Raanan Horowitz stated "We appreciate our long standing relationship with Gulfstream and will continue to work with them towards new EVS technologies that enable FAA Next Generation requirements".

Using a cutting edge infrared sensor, the Kollsman EVS II offers a pilot advanced situational awareness by creating a video image of the environment during the most critical phases of flight; taxi, takeoff, approach and landing. Enhanced Vision equipment returns the pilot to virtual VFR conditions in darkness, fog, rain, snow, haze, dust or pollution. This task is accomplished by sensing the smallest temperature differences (>5mK) in the environment and translating them into a real-time image.

The FAA and EASA continue to make ground breaking changes to the regulations reflecting the safety benefits of EFVS technology. An Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) projects the conformal image of the surrounding environment on a Head Up Display and provides significant operational benefits. Under EASA rules, EFVS equipped aircraft can now begin the approach even if the actual visibility is 1/3 less that what is required for that approach. In the United States, aircraft can descend to 100 feet if the runway environment is visible through the HUD.

"The aviation industry is watching EFVS technology closely in anticipation of new regulations allowing operators even greater operational benefits in low visibility conditions such as taxi, reduced takeoff minimums and an increase of the lower landing credit to the point of touchdown," said Horowitz.

FMI: www.elbitsystems.com