Selex Elsag (OE1) has won an €11 million ($17 million) contract to equip Italian NH Industries NH90 helicopters with an obstacle avoidance system.

"Loam [laser obstacle avoidance and monitoring] is an auxiliary system for navigation, designed for rotary wing platforms," says Selex Elsag. "Its operating system is based on an eye-safe laser radar. This can detect any kind of dangerous obstacle along the flight path, such as power lines, ropeway wires and pillars, allowing the crew to adopt appropriate, timely and effective countermeasures."

The Italian army and navy will eventually operate a combined total of more than 100 NH90s.

Italian nh90

Picture: Eurocopter

Source: Flight Daily News