22 May 2019: Elbit Systems has delivered its BrightNiteTM systems for Puma330 helicopters of an Air Force of a NATO country. The feedback from the users has been very positive, with pilots highlighting the contribution of the system to Degraded Visibility Environment (DVE) flights and describing it as a "game changer" and a "breakthrough in pitch dark night flight".
Mission helicopters that fly really low are susceptible to threats such as difficult terrain, enemy fire and the intersection of utility wires in the flight path while sorties must often be carried out in DVE, adding to the already heavy workload and leaving flight crews to rely on NVGs to complete their mission.
BrightNite system is designed in such a way that it helps mission helicopters to safely and effectively in pitch dark nights and in DVE conditions including poor weather conditions, whiteouts, brownouts and sandstorms.
BrightNite transmits high-resolution video to the Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) that permits pilots to fly in a head-up, eyes-out position. The system processes real-time panorama video, pre-loaded terrain and obstacle information enhanced by a 3D conformal and intuitive symbology. BrightNite uses unified location-based information culled from a wide Field Of View (FOV) to display crystal clear images, regardless of visibility conditions. BrightNite can show information to multiple pilots at the same time on an intuitive multi-functional display.