EMS, Amphitech develop first commercial radar obstacle awareness system

EMS Technologies and Amphitech International have agreed to design, manufacture and test a Ka-band radar antenna and gyro-stablised platform sub-system for a new helicopter Obstacle Awareness System (OASys RADAR) based on 35 GHz radar.

Announced at the Farnborough International 2000 Aerospace Show, the system is the first commercial OASys RADAR system that allows helicopter pilots, flying at low altitude, to see obstacles as small as power transmission lines and towers from distances of up to two kilometres, even in the most difficult day and night weather conditions.

"We believe that our system offers the rotorcraft industry a means to reduce accidents due to collisions with objects significantly, especially during poor weather operations, and thus, provide operating flexibility that is non-existent in the marketplace today," said Martin Bissonnette, president and chief operating officer, Amphitech International.

"The antenna and gyro-stabilised platform system is crucial to the high performance of the QASys RADAR system. Amphitech plans to enter into similar agreements with a few other key component and sub-system suppliers on the way to high-volume manufacturing of the QASys RADAR system with commercial deliveries anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2001," said Bissonnette.

Amphitech said the QASys RADAR system will be implemented as an add-on system to new helicopters or as a simple retrofit to existing rotorcrafts. There are approximately 55,000 helicopters registered in the world. According to the 1999 survey of the Helicopter Association International, the civil helicopter industry will sell more than 3,900 rotorcrafts over the next five years (2000 to 2004).

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