Challenge
Nova Systems has identified the need for a scalable and flexible airborne mission system that can be tailored to the individual needs of different airborne law enforcement, military, search and rescue and coast guard operators, and is designed to allow technology insertion to take advantage of advances in commercial technologies. The existing standard and proprietary OEM solutions do not meet the exact operational requirements and are unable to provide the flexibility and capability needed to respond to rapidly changing operational requirements. Existing solutions lack the scalability and supportability needed to ensure the mission system remain operationally available and relevant through life.
Solution
Nova Systems developed and integrated the prototype version of an airborne mission system into our own EC-135 systems testbed helicopter to explore and demonstrate the potential benefits of a scalable architecture, and to validate key mission system architecture. Working with partners Safran Electronics & Defense, CarteNav, Smith Myers, RDDS Avionics, Avalex and Astronautics, the prototype mission system design was completed within 29 weeks from initial design to first flight.
Outcome
The mission system integrated the Safran EUROFLIR 410 electro-options sensor, the Smith Myers ARTEMIS mobile phone detection and locating system, RDDS touchscreen displays, Avalex video recorders and the Astronautics secure air-to-ground cellular communications system with the CarteNav AIMS mission management software into a connected integrated mission system. Over a series of flights, the operational capabilities of the mission system were explored in airborne law enforcement, ISR, and search and rescue in operationally representative overland and overwater scenarios.