• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

BAE SYSTEMS Announces First Flight Of Condor II Helicopter Sensor Program

22 Jul 2004

BAE Systems today announced that it has achieved its first flight of a day/night, all-weather visibility system being developed under the U.K. Ministry of Defenses CONDOR II helicopter technology demonstrator program.

The flight trials are being undertaken on an Army Air Corps Lynx operated by 667 (D&T) Squadron AAC at Middle Wallop, Hampshire. The equipment under trial includes BAE Systems latest-generation LCD helmet-mounted display and a wide-field-of-view array of uncooled infrared and low-light sensors that are stitched and fused to project images of the outside world on the helmets visor.

The system also incorporates BAE Systems’ TERPROM ground-collision and obstacle-avoidance software. TERPROM generates cues and warnings, overlaid onto the fused image on the visor, to warn the pilot of terrain threats and obstacles such as pylons and overhead cables.

“This first flight represents a significant milestone in the CONDOR II program,” said Mike Austill, managing director of Avionic Systems for BAE Systems Platform Solutions. Achieving first flight in just over a year from contract award is a credit to both the MoD and the industry team. We expect to learn a great deal from these trials that, coupled with work we are undertaking is the U.S., will give our military helicopter pilots a significant capability enhancement.”

BAE Systems Platform Solutions is prime contractor for CONDOR II. The contract, awarded in June 2003, requires the company to demonstrate solutions that enable helicopters to be operated in conditions that are currently outside of flying regulations. The BAE Systems team, which includes QinetiQ, expects to fly performance evaluation trials later in the year with an emphasis on making a rapid transition from research to the front lines.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.

BAE Systems North America is a high-technology U.S. company employing more than 25,000 people who live and work in some 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom. The company is dedicated to solving its customers needs with highly innovative and leading edge solutions across the defence electronics, systems, information technology, and services arenas.

BAE Systems Platform Solutions serves the aerospace and defence community with capabilities and products that improve operational safety and enhance mission effectiveness. Platform Solutions supports a wide range of military and commercial platforms, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, ground vehicles, and unmanned vehicles with capabilities in vehicle management, human-machine interface, precision navigation, all-weather operation, power management, and mission information management. A unit of BAE Systems North America and based in Johnson City, New York, Platform Solutions employs more than 6,000 people at facilities in the United States and United Kingdom.