The new platforms will have unprecedented ability to detect and track
people and objects in the water. Cobham Aviation Services, which is
the prime contractor, has selected Sentient Vision's Kestrel Maritime
ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) as part of the overall sensors
suite, which also includes a Wescam MX-15 as a primary sensor.
Kestrel Maritime ViDAR
is comprised of a 9-megapixel optical sensor combined with an on-board
software. The latter detects and highlights in real-time, sea surface
objects, which cannot be detected by the naked eye. The system had been
tested by the US Coast Guard in 2014 and managed to detect small targets
at a distance of more than 20nm.
Anthony Peterson, Cobham's Business Development Director, said: "The
real benefit we see in ViDAR is the ability to maintain a consistent
quality visual search that has the same probability of detection in
the first hour through to the last hour of an eight hour mission. Visual
searching with the human eye is very fatiguing and diminishes over time
as crew fatigue. This is the first product that offers the potential
to offset the human fatigue factor for search and rescue (SAR) operations
and we are very excited about the benefits to SAR outcomes.
Simon Olsen, Sentient's Director of Business Development, Strategy and
Parternships, said: "With ViDAR, Cobham will be able to provide
AMSA with a proven, mature, highly capable visual detection system suited
to the SAR role. We are proud that Cobham has chosen our system as part
of a sophisticated sensor suit that can be trusted to deliver during
critical, life-saving SAR operations."
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority awarded the contract for the
search and rescue services at Cobham Aviation Services in October 2014.
Under the 12-year, AUD640 million-contract, Cobham will supply and operate
the four Challenger 604 aircraft, from three different locations across
Australia, namely Cairns, Perth and Melbourne. They will replace the
fiver Dornier 328 turboprop-engine currently in service. The Bombardier
aircraft will be able to locate people and objects at sea, and deliver
first-aid equipment, such as satellite phones, life-rafts, food, water
and other, to people in distress. |
