Eurocopter shows off Horizon

Horizon (Helicopter for Observation by Radar and Investigation by ZONe), currently in service for the French Army, could be described as the 'uultimate' heliborne surveillance system, thanks to its long range-radar, its impressive information processing capabilities, and the flexibility of its operating platform.

HORIZON is a ground surveillance system that can be used in all weather conditions, both by day and by night It is capable of detecting moving targets (wheeled and tracked vehicles, helicopters in movement or hovering, slow-moving airplanes, drones, and boats in coastal regions) over vast areas, at distances of up to 150 km. Any moving object can automatically be detected, located, analysed, and classified. The system can also be used for alert and guidance missions.

HORIZON has been given a key role in the NATO AGS (Alliance Ground Surveillance) rnissions. It complements the JISTARS system, and can also be independently deployed to survey an external theatre of operations.

The HORIZON system is made up of:

• One or more fully equipped ground stations, with two processing consoles and a data transmission terminal, and

• One or more AS 532 Cougar helicopters, each one equipped with a multi-mode radar, a computer processing unit, a control panel for onboard information processing, navigation and communication equipment, and strategic data transmission.

Each HORiZON system can be used in autonomous operation mode, or can operate connected to another HORIZON system or a C31 system.

Along with it operational flexibility, the HORIZON system can also handle a large range of research and intelligence-gathering missions for the NATO High Command. The system is used to evaluate tactical and strategic situations during wartime, and also to survey trouble spots during crises. It can also be of help in humanitarian missions in times of peace.

The HORIZON system was used for operations in the Gulf War and recently in Kosovo where it proved its interoperability and integration capabilities within the NATO forces.

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