Elbit Systems' Helicopter Skylens wearable head-up display recently completed a series of successful flight tests in its final configuration mode.

Entering the final flight test stages, the Skylens demonstrated a fully operational configuration with a wider field of view, higher resolution and an upgraded tracking system depicting synthetic vision as well as EVS video imagery.

The systems were tested during day and night, in a range of locations demonstrating a variety of maneuvers such as rooftop landings and oil rig approaches above the sea, in order to simulate real operational flight conditions during SAR, EMS and rig transportation missions.

Pilots who have flight tested the system attested to its significant contribution to flight safety and to its maturity, and have expressed their desire to fly the system in their routine missions.

Helicopter Skylens provides the aircrew with a true “out of the cockpit” view, displaying flight symbology for day and night operation in severe weather conditions. In limited visibility conditions, the pilot is able to fly eyes out due to the wide field of regard display. The system is packed in a lightweight, easy-to-install device. A revolutionary approach to meeting the challenges of today’s aviators, Skylens provides head-up information while minimizing the dependency on airport instrumentation.

Skylens is a part of the Clearvision Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) family, displaying high-resolution symbology and video on a transparent visor, providing pilots with cutting edge head out capabilities.

HeliEVS image projected on Skylens

The Elbit Systems’ helicopter avionics product line for civil applications fuses both synthetic and real-time imagery using a unique design symbology and computer flight guidance. These features offer helicopter pilots a “real-world” view of the terrain along with all obstacles within their flight path, allowing them to “see and avoid” even when visibility outside the aircraft is limited.

Synthetic vision on Skylens HUD

Elbit Systems’ avionics increase mission efficiency and reduce operational costs by ensuring operational success while maintaining a high level of safety. Whether the mission is corporate, search and rescue, offshore marine, law enforcement or emergency management, Elbit Systems’ civil helicopter avionics solutions can be adapted for operational success.

Based on the ClearVision EFVS for fixed-wing platforms, Helicopter ClearVision covers the full flight envelope and is designed to improve the accessibility of helicopters to destinations which suffer from limiting weather conditions and low visibility situations in day and night. The solution is comprised of the HeliEVS camera and the Skylens wearable HUD or the SkyVis Head Mounted Display (HMD), in order to address both non-helmet and helmet users.