Sky-Watch Labs has signed a contract with Sikorsky Aircraft to develop an advanced algorithm for real-time wire detection, which will help helicopter pilots operate safer in obstacle-rich environments. The development contract highlights the unique value that Sky-Watch Labs - the advanced technology development department of Danish UAV manufacturer Sky-Watch, offers the global defence- and aerospace industry.
Under the contract Sky-Watch Labs have undertaken development of a laser-based obstacle avoidance algorithm, aimed at helping helicopter pilots operating safer in obstacle-rich environments with buildings, trees, people, and power cables. Threats, that all pose a real and constant safety risk to pilots and crew in helicopters operating at low altitudes. “With this contract Sky-Watch Labs have proven that we can provide a unique development environment to the global defence- and aerospace industry," said Michael Messerschmidt, Chief Business Development Officer of Sky-Watch. "Our exceptionally skilled and creative development team, coupled with our extensive knowledge within sensor fusion technology and the fact that it’s significantly easier and less expensive to test new sensors on unmanned platforms, provides a very attractive value proposition.”
The cooperation was established on the basis of Industrial Cooperation, following Denmark’s selection of the MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters. The Royal Danish Air Force will receive nine helicopters beginning in 2016. With this contract Sky-Watch is associated with a consortium consisting of some of the world’s largest companies within the international defence- and aerospace industry including Sikorsky Aircraft, CAE, and Lockheed Martin that are all members of Team Seahawk. The contract for the development of the Laser Obstacle Avoidance System is an important landmark for the newly established Sky-Watch Labs. “The agile nature of a smaller companies like Sky-Watch in conjunction with the vast knowledge base of companies like Sikorsky is exactly what is needed to push the boundaries of today’s technology and drive development in the Danish defence- and aerospace industry. The contract between Sky-Watch Labs and Sikorsky Aircraft proves that we together can create solutions for real problems,” Messerschmidt added.
Sky-Watch Labs are also currently undertaking the development of the MUNINN VX1 UAV in cooperation with the Danish Technical University and partly funded by a government grant through the Innovation Fund. The MUNINN VX1 is a design which incorporates the ability to take-off and land vertically in small or constrained spaces, combined with the ability to cruise horizontally at high speed to cover larger geographical areas and quickly reach objects or points of interest.
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| The Royal Danish Air Force will receive nine Sikorsky MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters beginning in 2016. |
Under the contract Sky-Watch Labs have undertaken development of a laser-based obstacle avoidance algorithm, aimed at helping helicopter pilots operating safer in obstacle-rich environments with buildings, trees, people, and power cables. Threats, that all pose a real and constant safety risk to pilots and crew in helicopters operating at low altitudes. “With this contract Sky-Watch Labs have proven that we can provide a unique development environment to the global defence- and aerospace industry," said Michael Messerschmidt, Chief Business Development Officer of Sky-Watch. "Our exceptionally skilled and creative development team, coupled with our extensive knowledge within sensor fusion technology and the fact that it’s significantly easier and less expensive to test new sensors on unmanned platforms, provides a very attractive value proposition.”
The cooperation was established on the basis of Industrial Cooperation, following Denmark’s selection of the MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters. The Royal Danish Air Force will receive nine helicopters beginning in 2016. With this contract Sky-Watch is associated with a consortium consisting of some of the world’s largest companies within the international defence- and aerospace industry including Sikorsky Aircraft, CAE, and Lockheed Martin that are all members of Team Seahawk. The contract for the development of the Laser Obstacle Avoidance System is an important landmark for the newly established Sky-Watch Labs. “The agile nature of a smaller companies like Sky-Watch in conjunction with the vast knowledge base of companies like Sikorsky is exactly what is needed to push the boundaries of today’s technology and drive development in the Danish defence- and aerospace industry. The contract between Sky-Watch Labs and Sikorsky Aircraft proves that we together can create solutions for real problems,” Messerschmidt added.
Sky-Watch Labs are also currently undertaking the development of the MUNINN VX1 UAV in cooperation with the Danish Technical University and partly funded by a government grant through the Innovation Fund. The MUNINN VX1 is a design which incorporates the ability to take-off and land vertically in small or constrained spaces, combined with the ability to cruise horizontally at high speed to cover larger geographical areas and quickly reach objects or points of interest.
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| Sky-Watch Labs' MUNINN VX1 UAV is a design which incorporates the ability to take-off and land vertically in small or constrained spaces, combined with the ability to cruise horizontally at high speed to cover larger geographical areas and quickly reach objects or points of interest. |