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Elbit demos new BrightNite helicopter vision system

BrightNite, a system for flying helicopters in degraded visual environments, has been demonstrated by Elbit Systems Ltd.

By Richard Tomkins
Elbit Systems' BrightNite system (foreground) that enables flying in degraded visual environments. Photo courtesy Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems' BrightNite system (foreground) that enables flying in degraded visual environments. Photo courtesy Elbit Systems

HAIFA, Israel, May 6 (UPI) -- A new system to enable utility helicopter flights in degraded visual environments has been demonstrated in Israel by Elbit Systems Ltd.

BrightNite, as it is called, is a multi-spectral end-to-end panoramic piloting solution that delivers essential data directly to both eyes of the pilot, enabling intuitive flight in a head-up, eyes-out orientation in pitch dark and other DVE conditions.

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BrightNite is comprised of non-gimbaled, uncooled forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera and highly sensitive complementary metal-oxide semi-conductor sensors that present an ultra-wide field of regard image to a helmet-mounted display system.

The display is overlaid by a synthetic layer that follows the contours of the landscape and third-layer 3D mission conformal symbology to display hazards and tactical data. Elbit says helicopter crew can simultaneously scan the entire field of regard using a single sensor and the synthetic display.

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