Clearing The Way: Lockheed Martin And Burns Engineering Focus On Improving Pilot Vision

ORLANDO, Fla., March 2, 2015 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and H. N. Burns Engineering Corp. have agreed to collaborate on technology that enhances military helicopter pilots’ ability to fly in low visibility conditions caused by weather, dust or other obstructions.

Known as degraded visual environments (DVE), the blinding conditions are a primary cause of major helicopter accidents.

“Overcoming DVE challenges requires a strategy that blends multiple technologies,” said Terry Hoehn, fire control advanced programs director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “With H. N. Burns Engineering Corp., we are pursuing new DVE solutions to help pilots safely sense their relationship to surrounding terrain and buildings.”

By combining H. N. Burns’ high-resolution imaging laser radar with Lockheed Martin’s more than 40 years of experience in pilotage and sensor systems, the team will work toward developing affordable solutions that improve pilots’ spatial orientation and situational awareness.

“Our breakthrough sensor and display technology uses laser radar to help pilots fly, land and take off in degraded visual environments, with emphasis on brownout, cable warning and obstacle avoidance,” said Buck Burns, president of H. N. Burns Engineering Corp. “We are pleased to work with Lockheed Martin to bring these urgently needed DVE and collision-avoidance capabilities to our warfighters.