RUAG integrates STC featuring NVIS for new Airbus H125 Helicopters
On behalf of its customers, the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) and Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), RUAG has created and integrated a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) featuring Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) for the new Airbus Helicopters H125.
On behalf of its customers, the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) and Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), RUAG has created and integrated a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) featuring Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) for the new Airbus Helicopters H125.
The new STC has been approved by the European Aviation Agency (EASA) and is designed to maximise the situational awareness for all mission flights, both day and night. RUAG integrated the customised avionics package, NVIS and cockpit upgrade STC on two new Airbus Helicopters H125 (formerly AS350) that belonged to FOCA and STSB. Airbus Helicopters, being the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), delivered both aircraft from their production line in France directly to RUAG in Alpnach, Switzerland.
“Our teams fly complex helicopter missions, day and night, to satisfy our mandate as first responders in aviation emergencies and investigations. To be successful, pilots, ground crew and the helicopter must all be integrated into a state-of-the-art environment which maximizes situational awareness,” stated the operator.
The STC focuses on reducing cockpit workload, extending mission adaptability, enhancing aircraft versatility and minimising operational costs, and in addition to NVIS, RUAG has integrated 15 different modification packages to the new H125 making them the most technologically advanced helicopters of their type. Tactical direction finders, interfaced to an advanced digital map computer, provide a complete mission system to improve tracking during demanding Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. The state-of-the-art avionics package ensures clear and precise situational awareness.
“Safety and mission effectiveness are paramount and rely heavily on our ability to accurately assess conditions at any given point in time. Including NVIS in our requirements is critical to achieving success,” the operator confirmed. “We are pleased to have partnered with RUAG on this project. Their helicopter specialists provided a complete package, precisely designed and integrated according to our objectives.”