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New Flight
Optimization Software Saves Fuel and Mission Time
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Aug. 25, 2008─ A new software tool that allows
pilots to easily adjust altitude settings based on a visual display
of wind data is helping aviators to reduce fuel use and mission
time.
Called Vertical Visual Optimizer (VVO), the software was developed
by QinetiQ North America’s Westar Aerospace & Defense unit for the
Australian Defence Force (ADF) and is compatible with U.S. Portable
Flight Planning Software (PFPS). Applicable to both fixed-wing and
rotary-wing aircraft, the pre-flight planning solution is now
available to all U.S. military aviation platforms and those of
allied nations.
VVO retrieves wind data at user-defined altitudes from defense
weather sites and other sources and then graphically displays head
and tail wind speeds on a desktop, laptop or knee-board computer so
that pilots can quickly adjust altitude settings that take advantage
of favorable winds.
The altitude adjustments and wind data can then be used in an
aviator’s mission planning system, resulting in an immediate update
to the mission plan.
“With VVO, pilots can vary their route altitudes to achieve the
optimal route based on fuel and time savings,” said Lieutenant
Colonel Dean Wild, Systems Manager, Australian Defence Force.
VVO is the newest component in Westar’s offering of Confidence™, a
suite of integrated mission planning software for aviation
warfighters.
Comprised of Flight Performance Models (FPMs), Performance Planning
Calculator (PPC#), Stores, Loading and Balance (SLAB) and other key
elements, Confidence™ provides a holistic mission planning solution
that ensures safety from take-off to landing by accurately
predicting aircraft performance and configuration based on planned
operating environments.
Westar’s advanced mission planning software has been successfully
fielded to the Army, Navy and Air Force branches of the ADF, and is
currently in development for aviation organizations of the U.S.
Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.
About Westar:
Westar Aerospace & Defense, part of the Systems Engineering Group
(SEG) of QinetiQ North America, is a leading U.S. defense contractor
that provides high-value engineering, software solutions, logistics
information management, flight training, and IT technical support
services to the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments and
select commercial customers. SEG supports its customers with the
knowledge and expertise of more than 2,400 employees from 50-plus
locations worldwide.
About QinetiQ North America:
QinetiQ (pronounced “kinetic”) North America is a family of
companies that comprise more than 6,000 engineers, scientists and
technologists working in partnership with customers to develop
technology solutions to meet the challenges of national defense,
homeland security and information access. QinetiQ North America is
part of QinetiQ Group, plc (QQ.LSE), one of the world’s leading
defense and security technology companies.
For more information on VVO and ConfidenceŽ mission planning
solutions for aviation warfighters, visit:
http://www.westar.com/Mission-Planning/index.asp
Media Contact:
Mike Ruggeri
Vice President, Communications
Westar Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc.
Systems Engineering Group, QinetiQ North America
636-300-5151
Ruggeri@Westar.com