Leonardo has launched a new-generation dual-use laser anti-collision system for small to mid-sized helicopters. The compact Loam-V2 (Laser Obstacle Avoidance and Monitoring) weighs 33 pounds and detects the presence of small obstacles along the route, such as cables as small as 0.2 inches in diameter, pillars, and structures.
The system uses radar laser (ladar) to scan the area around the flight path, collect real-time environment, terrain, and obstacle information and then identify, classify, and issue aural and visual warnings. It also is optimized for flying at higher altitudes on course or approaching at lower speeds and hovering.
Loam-V2 is 50 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than the legacy version of the technology launched in 2015 for larger military helicopters including the NH90, EH-101 and CH-47. It offers the ability to orient the field of vision for broader coverage with "look-in-turn" technology for early detection of obstacles and warning generation. The system provides up to 360 degrees of coverage when flying at low speeds. The active sensor can be integrated with other active and passive sensors such as radar, visual or infrared fixed, adjustable video cameras, and systems with static databases of obstacles such as HTAWS and GPWS and digital maps DTED, DSM, and DVOF.