Airborne Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS)

When Charles Lindburgh flew the Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic 75 years ago, he checked his flight path by looking out his cockpit window. Since then pilots have sought enhanced vision systems to improve their situational awareness during adverse weather conditions. However, it was not until 2002 that the first Enhanced Vision System (EVS) was certified by the FAA. Based on InfraRed (IR) technology, this system helps the pilot see through cloud and fog. While presenting a major advancement in flight safety, the IR-based systems still only work in 80% of adverse weather conditions, often failing when prsented with heavy cloud and in coastal fog. However, because of the urgent need to improve flight safety, IR-based EVS’s are selling well and more IR-based products are in the process of certification.

The industry accepts that a true ‘all weather’ EVS will only be possible with the introduction of a mm-wave camera, since mm-waves will easily penetrate all types of cloud and fog. Farran Technology’s mm-wave camera, with its compact size and real-time capability offers an ideal solution to this safety problem.