SAAB and Samtel Display Systems have signed an MoU to jointly develop, manufacture and market the RIGS Head-Up Display in India. RIGS is a new-generation advanced lightweight Head Up Display (HUD) designed by Saab to provide helicopters with a cost-effective display solution.
Samtel Display Systems (SDS), India’s leading private sector aerospace company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saab to jointly develop, manufacture and market RIGS Head-Up Displays (RIGS HUD) in India. The announcement was made by Mr. Micael Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Electronic Defence Systems, and Mr. Puneet Kaura, Executive Director, SDS today at the 6th Defexpo 2010 being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
SDS is already in advanced stages of developing Head Up Displays (HUDs) for fighter aircraft. Subsequent to this MoU, SDS will now also be involved in the development of RIGS HUD together with Saab. SDS and Saab will jointly market RIGS in India to potential Indian customers for the Indian commercial and military airborne market. SDS will be involved in the development of RIGS electronics and software and will also develop and manufacture parts of the RIGS HUD. Initially, the parts manufactured by SDS will be for the Indian market, with the potential of serving International market in the long run. SDS may also, at a later stage, leverage its relationship with HAL for the joint marketing activities of RIGS.
“Our current goal with reference to this MoU is to help Saab serve the Indian market in the Head-Up Displays segment. But we are hopeful that through our focus on quality along with cost effectiveness this collaboration will extend to other international markets as well over the next few years,” says Mr. Puneet Kaura, Executive Director, SDS about the collaboration.
This is the second MoU to be signed between Saab and SDS. The first MoU identifies SDS as an offset partner for Saab for the MMRCA contract in which Saab’s fighter aircraft Gripen is one of the contenders.
“India is a very important market for us and is an important cornerstone of our overall global strategy. We are very confident about SDS’ technological and manufacturing capabilities and are happy to partner with them. This collaboration marks our next step towards consolidating our position in the Indian aerospace and defense market,” said Mr Micael Johansson.
About RIGS
The RIGS Head-Up Display provides pilots with information linked to flight and navigation as well as sighting, with aiming point and target reticule. It is easy to install and thus ideal both for helicopters. RIGS gives all-weather capability, ideal for flying and landing helicopters in challenging conditions, by presenting landing information and images from enhanced vision sensors enabling pilots to see through darkness, smog, smoke and various levels of snow, rain and fog. Safety is therefore enhanced via early detection of runway incursions and improved awareness of terrain during night and day operations. RIGS consist of one or two display units, to serve one or two crew members in cockpit, and an electronics unit. The open system architecture allows customers to tailor applications to their specific needs and to upgrade the system capabilities. Tapping on the vast experience in the development of HUD and display systems RIGS opens up endless display possibilities for users on new capabilities, increased safety and cost savings.
