ESG Provides Advanced Technology Solutions

ESG as a company is rooted in the dynamic aircraft industry. As an approved aviation development organisation ESG designs, develops and integrates tailor-made avionics and IT systems for the military, government and industry. The extensive range of services covers all phases of the lifecycle of complex avionic systems.

The business area aviation is a manufacturer-independent and hardware-neutral technology and process consultant for studies, concepts and system comparisons.

Many years of experience, broad and profound knowledge and interbranch technology transfer have created an ESG competence centre for system and software development, system integration and product support.

As a system company for special mission avionics, simulation and training, as well as special deployment systems, we offer customer-specific solutions. ESG is also an authorised Aeronautical Company for Aeronautical Equipment for the German Armed Forces.

 

ESG Solutions:

 

Mission Tactical Workstation (MTA)

The MTA is a military development of ESG’s Police Tactical Workstation (PTA), functionally expanded and adapted for environmental qualification with enhanced component robustness. The MTA combines all functions required for carrying out personnel recovery missions in one mission package. The MTA receives position data and text messages from the personal locator beacons of the survivors and displays it to the mission operator. The MTA supports the “PRC- 434G/SV” and “PRC-112B1” personal locator beacons as well as “COSPAS SARSAT” emergency locator transmitters. The MTA also features a wide frequency spectrum reception capability, enabling it to conduct classic search and rescue (SAR) missions. By using a camera system with an extensive sensor set (IR, TV, LLTV, LRF, Laser Illuminator, IMU), the mission operator can visually survey the environment around the aircraft and the target area of the survivor’s assumed location. The MTA mission software with the integrated “FalconView” mapping system offers centralised information processing and a clearly structured user interface. From the MTA, the mission operator has a wide range of communication options. Being fully connected to the intercommunication system of the aircraft, many different radio devices and the satellite communication system can be used. In the cockpit, a tablet PC serves as an additional source of information for the crew. For long endurance missions, particular attention has been paid to the ergonomic aspects of the MTA; many functions are adaptable to individual mission tactical tasks and users.

 

 

Sensor Based Landing Aid (SeLa) for brownout landing of helicopters

Helicopters can be deployed in almost any terrain, either by day or by night. One of their primary advantages is their ability to land on almost any location, whether the landing surface is paved or not. However, particularly on unpaved landing surfaces, loose particles such as dust, snow or sand are often raised into the air. This effect is generally known as whiteout in the case of snow or brownout in the case of any other materials. For this reason, ESG has developed a system that should enable pilots to maintain their ground reference despite the most demanding sight conditions, thereby allowing the pilot to land safely and on time. The system is known as Sensor Based Landing Aid, "SeLa". ESG has proven that the system functions correctly in the MAT mission equipment carrier by means of functional prototypes, and has developed the system further to series-production readiness, in order to enable use by forces in the field. The first integration will be into CH-53-helicopter, but any other helicopter models are also possible. ESG's Sensor Based Landing Aid comprises a complete system that can make an important contribution to the aerial mobility and deployment readiness of the armed forces, but also of police forces and the rescue services, combined with a reduction in operational risk.

 

Cockpit Procedure Trainer (CPT)

ESG developed a Cockpit Procedure Trainer for the Sea Lynx MK88A Navy helicopter. The

CPT was designed to have a realistic simulation of significant components. The CPT consists of a cockpit module and an Instructor Operating Station (IOS). The cockpit is replicated onto seven touch screen monitors. Position and size of the components are similar to the original cockpit. The visual replication of the cockpit is based on photographs of the original equipment, and is animated to show dynamic system behaviour. Focused on procedural training, the Sea Lynx CPT does not have realistic flight controls. The helicopter is simply controlled by keyboard; where necessary switches have been relocated on coloured keys. The simulator provides an instructor guided mode and a self-learning mode. The IOS provides functionality to create and control missions. Alternatively, trainees can run the simulation themselves in the self-learning mode without an instructor but being supervised and recorded.

 

 

Helicopter Pilot Screening System (FPS-H)

FPS-H is a simulation system which will be used by the German forces to evaluate the aptitude of candidates before they are accepted for helicopter flight training. Using this preselection method the flight training success rate can be raised and overall training costs kept low.

The simulation system can also be used for crew coordination training, the selection of flight instructors and of pilots for special operations. FPS-H can be upgraded with a DIS/HLA interface and with capabilities for helicopter accident analysis. The system will be operated by the flight medical institute in Bückeburg, Germany, starting August 2011. The FPS-H-System consists of the following subsystems: 2 cockpits each with a 3 channel visual system and an Instructor Station, 1 Debriefing Station, Classroom Equipment allowing review of live and stored missions, and a Mission Preparation / Database Creation Station.

 

Special High Altitude Parachute System (SHAPS)

SHAPS is a parachute system for Special Forces. ESG, together with B/E Aerospace Systems GmbH, designed SHAPS for the German Bundeswehr special operation units. It is in use since 2003. SHAPS allows the parachutist to jump from a height of about 33,000 feet and to cover a distance of up to 40 kilometres while carrying up to 100 kg of equipment. Parachutists are thus able to enter areas that are difficult to reach for their transport aircraft. SHAPS is a modular constructed weapon system with several subsystems and modules. All components, such as Parachute System, Oxygen Supply System, Helmet and Communication System, Navigation System, Heavy Cargo Bundle System, Tandem Passenger System and Thermal Protection System, have been designed for compatibility with each other to provide the soldiers with the highest safety standards.