HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Rocket City is home to some of the most advanced aerospace technology. On Tuesday, Army Aviation & Missile Command officials at the Redstone Arsenal flew the friendly skies, and got up close and personal at Huntsville Airport with technology they could be using in the future.
"We've brought our corporate helicopter. We call it our 'vertical lift test bed', and we've got some new sensor technologies as well," says Elbit America, Customer Relations Senior Director, Mark Stiner.
Elbit America, a defense/aerospace company, is headquartered in Texas, but has offices here in Huntsville. The company supplies technology to the U.S. Armed Forces.
"What we're demonstrating is real-time sensor fusion, infrared sensors for night, along with a lidar, which is a laser version of a radar to detect all types of obstacles and terrain for the aircraft," says Stiner.
Part of the advanced technology from Elbit America includes a helmet. And when you put it on, it includes sharper night vision.
"Our newest system - the "X-Sight," says Stiner.
"Sometimes pilots need to look away from outside, and to look down at maps to navigate for example. And our systems shows the pilot the route they're supposed to be flying, so that they can be looking outside for obstacles and still having information from the flight computer about the route of flight," he added.
Leaders in the military do provide feedback. Officials with Elbit America say their collaboration is key.
"These opportunities to engage the leadership, they're very important for us. It's important for us to let the leadership know what they're working on and to inform them about the technology, and it's also very important for us to get their perspective on things so we can continue to inform our investment strategy," says Stiner.