Contributor - UK

David Donald

Elbit Systems (Chalet 200, Static A8) launched a new system that provides increased levels of situational awareness to helicopter crews flying in a degraded visual environment (DVE). Called BrightNite, the system is aimed primarily at utility transport helicopters to provide their crews with the kind of DVE-piloting capabilities that are enjoyed by crews of attack helicopters.

 


According to U.S. Army Aviation figures, around one-fifth of Class A and B mishaps experienced in recent years have been attributable to spatial disorientation or loss of situational awareness in a degraded visual environment (DVE). Flying helicopters tactically at low level is already a high-workload mission due to terrain, power lines and other obstructions, as well as hostile action.

 


Adding the dangers of DVE–complete darkness, poor weather, brown-out, white-out and sandstorms–dramatically increases that workload. Traditionally, the only aid available has been light-intensifying night vision goggles.

 


BrightNite is a lightweight and cost-effective system that aims to enable intuitive head-up, eyes-out flight in pitch darkness and other DVE conditions. It comprises non-gimballed uncooled FLIR and complementary metal-oxide semi-conductor (CMOS) sensors that provide a panoramic image that is projected on to an ANVIS/HUD helmet-mounted display.

 


This image display is overlaid with a synthetic layer that follows terrain contours, and a third layer of 3-D conformal symbology that presents mission information, highlights hazards and provides tactical data with zero latency. Multiple crewmembers can simultaneously scan the entire field of regard with the same system. Elbit claims that BrightNite will allow utility helicopter crews to fly in more than 90 percent of night conditions.

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Elbit Enhances Safety with BrightNite

Elbit Systems has introduced a new system that provides pilots of utility helicopters with the same kind of DVE capability as attack helicopter crews.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

Scandinavian Avionics To Support Legacy Nighthawk Systems

Curt Epstein

AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

Kerry Lynch

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

More In Avionics

Scandinavian Avionics To Support Legacy Nighthawk Systems

Billund, Denmark-based company will also offer dealer coordination for European customers

AIN Product Support Survey 2026: Avionics

AIN readers rate avionics, cabin management, and airborne connectivity manufacturers

AIN Roundtable—Readying for Potential Navigation Spoofing, Jamming

Experts gather to discuss the problems and solutions surrounding GNSS interference

Ciconia C&CAS Demos Coordination, Collision Avoidance

Product enables aircraft to work together with no need for satcom or cellular communications

Garmin Expands SmartCharts Reach to Canada and Mexico

New release adds missed approach climb gradient table and climb gradient values on departure procedures

Autoland-equipped Phenom 300EV Gets Trio of Approvals

Light jet now approved by Brazilian, U.S., and European regulators

Klatt Works Adds Gulfstream as Approved SAVED Supplier

Expands availability of company's oxygen-mask head-up display system

Honeywell Expands Guided Visual Approach List to 120

Improves safety when flying into challenging airports

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN