RSC finalises testing of pilot system

Published: 6/21/2000

Valentin Suholitko, president of the Russian Systems Corporation (RSC), has announced that his company is in the final stages of testing a new system to monitor the condition of a pilot. In the event of a pilot losing consciousness or failing to respond within certain parameters, the system will switch control of the aircraft and transmit a warning. It will also be capable of waking up a pilot if he falls asleep during long flights on autopilot. The system, which is the size of small tape recorder, monitors without physical contact the pilot's activity (including his neck muscles) during flight. When the muscles relax, the system assumes that the pilot is either falling asleep or has lost consciousness and takes appropriate action either initially in a warning or in taking control of the aircraft. According to the producer, the system will have the ability to initiate an automatic landing and eject the pilot in the event of particularly risky situation. The system, which is currently being tested by the Institute of Military Medicine, is due to start flight trials on a MiG-31 during the summer. The company claims to already have two potential customers, with India and China in negotiations to acquire four systems to be used on the Su-30MKI and Su-30MKK. According to Russian Control Systems, the US is investing significant funds in developing similar systems, but is four to five years behind the Russians.

Article ID: 1867