Safety on a Screen

OBSERVER

‘As a taskmanagementsystemObservercreates apaperlesscockpit forthe airbornecommanderand hisobservers’

78Degree’s North in thearctic winter, a SuperPuma is airborne on aSearch and Rescuemission over the

Arctic ocean from its base at Spitsbergen;45 degrees further South a Westland SeaKing is airborne over Helmand Province,hot and high on a surveillance mission;both are relying on Observer MKIII formapping, target tracking and missionguidance. Observer MKIII is nowoperating on a global basis supportingsecurity, surveillance, search and rescue,medical evacuation, VIP and executivecharter missions.

The Observer system has been developedthrough three generations at Honeywell’s designcentre of excellence for mission systems(Skyforce Avionics) based in the UK. Thebusiness has been engaged since the mid 1990’sin the development and manufacture of a range ofmission products designed to enhance the

effectiveness of rotary and fixed wing special roleplatforms. Applications now include AirborneLaw Enforcement, Special Forces, Surveillance,Search and Rescue, and executive roles for bothmilitary and civil agencies. With a worldwidecustomer base and global reach for productsupport, Honeywell is now the leading provider ofcost effective mission systems.

The current MKIII Observer Mission System isEASA ETSO certificated and in service. Thesystem has been optimised from a human factorsengineering standpoint to ensure ease of use andintuitive operation and Honeywell continues toinvest in the next generation of hardwareplatforms and software that will further integratethe ground and airborne elements; first flight ofGeneration 4 software was demonstrated at HAI2008 on the Honeywell AS350. For Honeywell’scustomers this long term commitment is goodnews and allows them to buy with confidencethat the platforms they have selected will continueto grow in capability and be globally supported.

Today’s mission management system iscertified to EASA ETSO C113 as a Multi-Function

Display, its principal purpose is as to supportmultiple mission system workstations which canbe used in all weathers by the tacticalcommander and mission specialists; the systemcan also be used for navigation in a VFRenvironment by the flying pilot. As a taskmanagement system Observer creates apaperless cockpit for the airborne commanderand his observers and the intuitive operatorinterface, coupled with customer configurablemapping, imagery, data bases and multi sensorinterfaces allows the complete system to betailored to meet a particular end users need. Withfeatures that include flight logging andcommunications links, post flight analysis and re-tasking the Observer is a management tool thatcan be used to ensure cost effective and tacticallyefficient use of limited airborne resources.

The heart of the Observer system is asophisticated mapping, navigation and sensorintegration Processor which is capable ofinterfacing to and being controlled by up to sevenworkstations. The hardware comprises the RackMounted Processing Unit with ARINC 429, RS232

Security &safety today& everyday

To the city street that you need seamlessly…..

Regional mapping on aeronautical charts….

Imagery from space can be combined with…..

and RS422 communication ports, which can beused for connection to an external FMS/GPS,AHRS, Radio Altimeter, AIS Transponders, DFSystems, Search Radar (target designation) andEO/IR Cameras. The system outputs VGA, RGBand Composite Video to allow interfaces with upto 7 displays distributed around the airborneplatform. In addition a Control Panel allows fordistributed command and control to each of theworkstations and high speed Ethernet port fordata uploads and a PCMCIA Card Reader forflight downloads, the next generation Panel willalso support USB data transfer. The systeminterfaces with the Aerotech Ground Station forpost mission analysis and can if connectedthrough a SATCOM link work interactively with theground station on re-tasking and data updateswhilst on a mission.

Mapping can range from scannedAeronautical Topographical Charts (e.g. CAA1:250,000 or US Sectionals) which have a mergedvector underlay of Jeppesen® Navdata for theless mission orientated operator; to a completesuite of mapping down to property and street

level with satellite imagery if required. This allowsdecisions regarding hazard avoidance to bemade en route for the approach to target orlanding zone, thereby ensuring a safer incursionand egress for the paramilitary user. Use of highquality mapping and DTED data coupled withcamera target plotting and a powerful databasesearch engine allows optimum control of datagathering and the command and controlprocess.

In summary the baseline MKIII Observerpackage has been designed as a modular“installation considerate” system. From thebaseline, Honeywell can offer both hardware andsoftware solutions that can be tailored to suit acustomer’s specific needs in the stringentrequirements of an airborne command andcontrol environment.

If you have a need a security or safety needthat demands more that the standard avionics fitsolution then talk to Honeywell, we specialise insolving your mission specific needs andproviding security and safety today andeveryday.

Observer MKIII is the definitive Task Management solution for all Helicopteroperations that require multiple workstations and interfaces to multiple sensors.Proven in the harshest environments and used world wide, the system is backedby Honeywell’s global support network.

If you operate a Police Helicopter wing or a Search and Rescue station then youneed systems to be available 24/7 with the right sensors, the right maps and theassurance that the hardware will deliver. With map packs for Europe, America,India, Middle East and the Baltic available, plus the ability to tailor a detailedmulti-layer package to meet your specific needs, then Observer is the only choicein a global market.

In today’s uncertain world Honeywell is geared to provide you with a solution thatis secure, safe, supported and designed to grow with your needs. Observer MKIIIwill do this for you today and everyday.

Skyforce Avionics Limited 5 The Old Granary, Boxgrove, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 OES UKTel: +44 (0) 1243 783763 Fax: +44 (0) 1243 783992

FEATURE SUMMARY● Multi-Workstation System● NVG Compatible Equipment

MULTI-SENSOR FUSION● Vehicle Recovery (Tracker, Lo-Jack) ● SAR / Direction Finding● Maritime Transponders● Search Radar Targets● Surveillance Cameras● Datalink SATCOM [SkyConnect]

MAPPING & DATA● Aero Charts (e.g. Sectional, ICAO)● 1:50,000 Area Mapping● 1:10,000 Area Mapping● Street Name [Major Road Overflown]● Principal Landmarks● Address Search● Custom Charts & Maps● Satellite Imagery● Data Storage [On/Off Scene etc]● Ground Station Asset Management

FEATURES● IFR/VFR Terrain Map Modes ● Camera Point of Impact Overlays● TCAS/TAS/TIS Interfaces *● Graphical Terrain [Terrain Shading]● Standard Flight Planning● Waypoints with Images● XM weather (or other ground-based

Wx)*● Approach Plates*● Relative Terrain [TAWS display]● FIS [Airports, Beacons, Services,

Frequencies]● Checklist Options● Flight Data [Time, Position,

Speed etc]● Jeppesen Flight Star Interface*● Certified Systems [ETSO/TSO] ● Software Code Level RTCA DO178

Level D

SUPPORT● Extended Warranty Options● Exchange Upgrade Packages● Training [On Site]● Web Based Technical Data Support● Data Base Update Service

* Future Software Releases

Safety on a Screen

OBSERVER