Sandel Avionics has announced it has been selected by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, CT, to provide a new MIL-STD version of its Sandel HeliTAWS wire and terrain alerting system, the model ST3453H, for forward-fit installation aboard the new S-70i Black Hawk helicopter in mid-2012.

The commercial model ST3400H Sandel HeliTAWS is the industry’s first multihazard avoidance system for helicopters that protects against terrain, wires and obstacles, and is the only terrain avoidance system certified for nuisance-free operation below en route altitudes. Unique features of Sandel HeliTAWS include Sandel WireWatch™, the industry’s first onboard wire-strike avoidance capability; Sandel’s TruAlert™ technology to eliminate nuisance alerts; and a choice of pilot-selectable modes of operation. The new Sandel HeliTAWS ST3453H model incorporates all the features of the commercial version and includes MIL-STD-3009 NVIS, 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 by commercial OEMs such as Sikorsky has led us to develop both hardware and embedded software versions of this product that meet the unique needs of a variety of customers,” noted Gerry Block, Sandel’s president. “In turn, it’s been made clear to us by these customers that, when it comes to low-altitude multihazard avoidance, Sandel HeliTAWS is really the only reliable choice.”

Sandel Avionics, located in Vista, California, is a privately held company that provides embedded software for OEM applications, and compact integrated display systems for fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft in the commercial and military aftermarkets. Its products include 3-ATI and 4-ATI retrofit primary displays, Class-A fixed-wing TAWS and HeliTAWS, the helicopter industry’s first complete, all-altitude wire and terrain safety solution. Learn more at www.sandel.com.