MD jump-starts 902 program

“This partnership has been a long time coming,” said Tilton. “We took the 902 off the market a number of years ago.” She said that because MD 902 updates have taken a while, she believes switching back to Universal is correcting a mistake made when the company pivoted to another vendor, which she didn’t believe was moving fast enough.

Tilton said she also plans to bring back the MD 969, also with Elbit Systems avionics. Elbit Systems owns Universal Avionics. The 969 is being designed as a combat attack helicopter.

Universal Avionics showed the latest developments in its Fly by Sight flight deck concept, which brings various flight deck technologies together in an integrated way for more intuitive head-up operation during critical phases of flight. The concept is designed to improve safety in low-visibility environments and mission operations.

“During last year’s Heli-Expo, we unveiled our Fly by Sight concept to helicopter operators with the InSight plus ClearVision flight deck,” said Dror Yahav, Universal Avionics CEO. “We are continuing to develop and enhance our capabilities, bringing a fully functional demonstration to the show this year, featuring even more mission and life-saving operation capabilities critical to EMS, law enforcement, and SAR operators,” he said.

Integration between the InSight Display System and the ClearVision enhanced flight vision system enhances flight, particularly in degraded visual environments. A helmet-mounted display provides pilots with a view of terrain and obstacles, enhancing awareness and safety.

“Our latest update to the Fly by Sight flight deck, the i-FMS, offers the latest in design flexibility with a feature set that provides helicopter operators with advanced mission capabilities that are simplified, automated, and more intuitive,” Yahav said. It allows the pilot to conduct critical functions via head-up technologies instead of relying on head-down displays.

“That’s amazing,” Tilton said after seeing a demonstration of the system. “That takes the low visibility out of the system.”

In its booth at Heli-Expo 2020, MD Helicopters displayed two MD 530 helicopters—an MD 530F operated by the Fresno County, California, Sheriff’s Office and a MD 530G Block II light scout attack helicopter. “Representing two of our most enduring market segments, these innovative aircraft are the embodiment of my commitment to advanced engineering, exquisite design, and superior performance,” Tilton said in a press release.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office was the first law enforcement agency to fly with the company’s certified glass cockpit, which features a mission equipment package. “The multi-mission capability of the MD 530F is one of the hallmark features of this iconic airframe,” Tilton commented.

Commercial offerings include the MD 500E, MD 530F, MD 520N, MD 600N, and twin-engine MD 902 Explorer.