Gulf testing Radio Frequency Identification technology on the AW189

Gulf testing Radio Frequency Identification technology on the AW189

6-Mar-2019 Source: Leonardo

Leonardo announced at Heli-Expo 2019 a collaboration with Gulf Helicopters of Qatar to test Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) on their AW189 super medium twin engine helicopter fleet. This initiative is based on a pilot project for installation of RFID tags on the aircraft.

The project is focused on the development of enhanced data gathering solutions: the core idea of RFID pilot project is to export the Radio Frequency Identification technology, widely used in logistics, also within helicopters. Around 60 major components of Gulf Helicopters AW189 fleet will be RFID tagged allowing automatic downloading of data when the aircraft returns from a mission, thus improving H/C configuration control and driving maintenance efficiency. Data easily and quickly acquired by dedicated smart tag readers will also contribute to enhance efficiency of other features and services based on structured big data acquisition, already available within the Leonardo portfolio, such as HUMS (Health Usage Monitoring System) and related predictive maintenance/logistics.

The pilot project is ongoing and planned to be completed by mid-2019. Once fully available, RFID solutions will be adopted for all platform of the AWFamily and will eventually be retrofitted at customers’ will. The RFID technology is another way to show Leonardo capacity to find customer-tailored solutions as a key factor to enhance level of services provided as well as maintenance efficiency with straight advance prediction on logistic needs.

Mr. Mohamed Al Mohannadi, CEO of Gulf Helicopters, has welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership with Leonardo Helicopters introducing technology through the RFID pilot project, confident it will deliver the set objectives of improving the helicopter configuration control and maintenance efficiency.

The RFID project pilot is in line with Company’s commitment to enhancing services and customer operations with the latest technologies and is aligned with the strong customer focus of Leonardo’s Industrial Plan. RFID is part of the wide range of digitalized service Leonardo offers which also include Skyflight mission planning mobile service, Helilink product support engineering assistant, AW Training predictive/adaptive learning and Heliwise/HUMS, all on display at Leonardo Heli-Expo Booth.

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