Video data link system performs flawlessly in L’Aquilla earthquake search and rescue effort.

Abruzzo, Italy: The recent earthquake claiming hundreds of lives in L'Aquilla, Italy, located in the Abruzzo region, was subjected to a massive search and rescue effort by teams of international first responders. A team flying an AS350 provided full HD downlinked MX15HDi images in real time to assist in the coordinated effort by the department of civil protection.

The AS350 was equipped with a Troll Systems Skylink HD antenna, a Troll C100 antenna controller, power distribution and control panel, a Wescam camera along with a HELIMEDIA High Definition Video System [HDVS], which were designed for the rescue mission.

The earthquake occurred before the details of a system were finalized between Helica and the Civil Protection Department, so they were dispatched within an hour and the ground receiver was set up immediately following the onsite arrival of the search and rescue team. The HDVS high gain antenna enables COFDM HD downlinks in excess of 160km to be achieved. The Troll Skylink HD antenna also has an omni antenna for transmitting the images to local (fixed and mobile) receivers. Both the long range and local transmissions can be supported simultaneously.

Airborne Video Data Links Brochure > PDF

Ground Systems >PDF

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