Contributor

Harry Weisberger

Sandel Avionics has been selected by Sikorsky to provide a new MIL-STD version of its HeliTAWS wire and terrain alerting system for forward-fit installation aboard the new S-70i Black Hawk helicopter in mid-2012. 
The model ST3453H, like Sandel’s commercial model ST3400H HeliTAWS, protects against terrain, wires and obstacles, and is the only terrain avoidance system certified for nuisance-free operation below en route altitudes, according to the company.
Sandel HeliTAWS features include WireWatch onboard wire-strike avoidance, TruAlert technology to eliminate nuisance alerts and a choice of pilot-selectable modes of operation. The HeliTAWS ST3453H model incorporates all features of the commercial version and includes MIL-STD-3009 NVIS (night vision imaging system), MIL-STD-810E environmental qualification and a built-in MIL-STD-1553B bus interface. 
“A high level of interest by the U.S. military as well as commercial OEMs, such as Sikorsky, has led us to develop both hardware and embedded software versions of this product to meet the unique needs of a variety of customers,” noted Gerry Block, Sandel president.