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| View from an Elbit Systems EVS. Photo: Elbit Systems |
[Avionics Today 06-12-2015] Elbit Systems of America will provide Shanghai Avionics Corporation’s (SAVIC) COMAC C919 aircraft with Kollsman Enhanced Vision System-Superior Performance (EVS-SP). Elbit Systems of America contract with SAVIC also enables future operators of the C919 to select the EVS-SP through the aircraft manufacturer.
The EVS-SP offers the latest proven commercial technology in cooled enhanced vision systems, by providing outstanding capabilities in degraded visibility along with high resolution in a single, weight-saving unit. The EVS-SP provides C919 operators the ability to see through some of the worst visibility conditions confronting pilots in the Asia-Pacific region, such as smog from air pollution. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) has adopted current FAA rules that provide the same operational benefits as experienced in the United States, allowing pilots to go past the traditional decision height (DA/DH) down to 100 feet, even if they do not see the landing area with natural vision.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), China will surpass the United States to become the world’s largest commercial air passenger market in the next two decades. To prepare for this increasing number of flights in China, the CAAC has recently implemented avionics equipment requirements to install Head-Up Displays (HUD) for its domestic air carriers. The C919 equipped with the Kollsman EVS-SP displayed on the HUD will enjoy the operational benefits as well as improved safety and situational awareness allowing more aircraft into the airspace and at a faster rate.