Cassidian supports helicopter missions in Afghanistan

1411

Cassidian supports the helicopter missions of the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan, with a mobile version of its computer-based operations support system, EUA (“Einsatzunterstützungsanlage”, English acronym: OSS). Eight mobile EUA systems have now been delivered to the German Army Aviation Corps as part of a contract awarded by the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) at the end of 2011.

The EUA is required to plan safe flight paths and missions, to display them on digital maps and to maintain real-time contact with military command. At the same time, it serves to ensure maintenance and supply for the helicopters. Up until now, the EUA has been used in different configurations for the individual types of Army Aviation and Air Force helicopters. Thanks to the new software version, all helicopters can now be supported with the same system: the Tiger support helicopter (UH), the NH90 tactical transport (TTH) and light transport helicopter (LTH), as well as the CH-53GA transport helicopter. Moreover, the EUA will also be used in the future to support the Spanish Tiger combat helicopters.

“The EUA enables all types of helicopters to be supported in missions using a single, standardised system,” explains Dr Rolf Wirtz, head of the Mission Avionics unit at Cassidian. “This not only allows to reduce operating costs, but also to use an integrated aircraft support process for both flight missions and technical maintenance.”

From the beginning of 2013, the Army Aviation Corps will protect the German soldiers in Afghanistan from the air using the Tiger ASGARD support helicopter. This will be followed by medical air evacuation (Forward AirMedEvac) using the NH90 from mid-2013. The FwdAirMedEvac helicopters ensure medical emergency care for Bundeswehr soldiers in crisis areas.

The tasks involved in operations support include the creation of flight plans, with a combination of civil and military flight phases, while taking account of current meteorological data or changing threat scenarios. By processing the data from the electronic self-protection system, the pilot is in a position to quickly respond to attacks. The EUA furthermore enables connection to the German Armed Forces’ logistics system (LogInfoSys Bw SASPF) as well as to their command & control and technical information systems.

[E]

Cassidian (www.cassidian.com)

Cassidian, an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and systems, providing lead systems integration and value-added products and services to civil and military customers around the globe: air systems (aircraft and unmanned aerial systems), land, naval and joint systems, intelligence and surveillance, cyber security, secure communications, test systems, missiles, services and support solutions.In 2011, Cassidian – with around 28 000 employees – achieved revenue of €5.8 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2011, the group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidianand Eurocopter – generated revenue of €49.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 133 000.

Cassidian – Defending world security