Airbus has selected Honeywell Aerospace’s LASEREF VI navigation system for boosting reliability of its light helicopter platforms, the EC145 T2 and EC645 T2.

The LASEREF inertial reference unit (IRU) helps helicopter operators to have an autonomous navigation source available in the absence of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and radio navigation, in order to flight-critical information.

"When you’re in extreme situations, navigation is essential for everything from crew safety to completing critical missions."

The system is particularly useful when the GNSS is unavailable due to terrain masking, limited satellite constellation availability, or unintentional or intentional jamming during the flight.

Honeywell Aerospace customer business manager Varant Panossian said: "When you’re in extreme situations, navigation is essential for everything from crew safety to completing critical missions."

The LASEREF has been designed for fixed-wing and rotary-wing applications, and is considered to be the lightest and smallest IRU on the market.

According to Honeywell, the system’s integration with a global positioning system eliminates delays in information delivery, while ensuring safe and efficient running of operations even in harsh environments and demanding mission situations.

Honeywell’s Aerospace business unit develops and integrates technologies for application in air traffic modernisation, flight and runway safety, engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, connectivity and logistics.

Defence Technology