[Avionics Today July 17, 2014] Elbit Systems has a new partnership with Nicarnica to combine Elbit’s Enhanced Vision System (EVS) cameras with Nicarnica’s newly developed technology that detects volcanic ash for commercial aircraft, the Airborne Volcanic Object Imaging Detector (AVOID).
Ove Bratsberg, CEO of Nicarnica Aviation (left) and Yoram Shmueli, General Manager of Elbit Systems’ Aerospace Division (right) after signing the MOU at Farnborough Airshow 2014.
Nicarnica partnered with Airbus to complete a flight test with the AVOID system on an Airbus A340-300 in November 2013. During the flight test, the A340 was able to identify a volcanic ash cloud that was about 37 miles ahead of it. Now, the company is combining the ash detection system with Elbit’s EVS cameras to provide operators with an enhanced version of the system.
“This will take us closer to realizing the goal of an on-board ash detection system and offering it worldwide within the shortest possible time. This will help the aviation industry avoid the economic damage created by crises such as the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption that crippled European aviation for several days,” said Ove Bratsberg, CEO of Nicarnica Aviation.