Tests of a night vision rear view camera performed in Emmen
The Bundeswehr Technical Center for Aircraft and Aeronautical Equipment (WTD 61) of the German Armed Forces tested a night vision rear view camera on a helicopter in the period from 3 to 11 September 2024. The tests took place at the Flight Test Center of armasuisse Science and Technology (S+T) in Emmen.
Sarah Trösch, Staff, competence sector Science and Technology
The night vision rear view camera was tested on the helicopter type H145M. The H145M is the military version of the civilian helicopter H145. This multi-purpose helicopter is primarily deployed in the military environment to transport special forces to their assignment location. Amongst other things, the H145M has a digital cockpit with full night vision capability. Altogether two pilots and four fully equipped command soldiers can be seated in the helicopter.
The German Air Force purchased 15 of the H145M aircraft for the operation purpose mentioned above. A 16th plane is used as a test vehicle for the further development of the entire fleet. With this additional plane, the WTD 61 carries out testing with a newly installed night vision rear view camera in Emmen at armasuisse S+T. Here, armasuisse S+T provides the logistics and the hangar space. The Flight Test Center also supports the test team in flight preparation, including navigation in Swiss airspace, the definition of trial areas and the selection of landing sites.
Necessity for a night vision rear view camera
For reasons of space and weight, the H145M is usually operated without loadmaster. A loadmaster is primarily responsible for operating the abseiling device for the command soldiers and thus also to check whether all task forces have landed safely on the ground and detached themselves from the rope. This abseiling device can only be operated from the cockpit. This means that the pilot is not able to see whether all task forces have landed safely on the ground and detached themselves from the rope. Although a rear view camera is installed on the rear of the H145M, it only works properly during the day and unfortunately not in the dark. As most of the command operations take place at night, demand was high for a night vision rear view camera.
Testing in various different environments
Testing in Switzerland is the second part of the WTD 61 testing campaign involving the night vision rear view camera. It is aimed to test the camera here in a cold, damp and in particular high-altitude environment. The first part took place in Germany in a dusty environment. The third and simultaneously the last part will be carried out right in the north of Germany, in a maritime area.
As part of a cooperation agreement between Germany and Switzerland, tests by the partner nation can be carried out in the neighbouring country, as necessary. These tests offer valuable opportunities for unclassified knowledge sharing between experts, such as for new technical solutions or procedures.
