- Augmented Visionics System designed to enable safer helicopter operations in near-zero visibility MONTREAL, April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (NYSE: CGT; TSX: CAE) - CAE and Neptec Design Group today announced the successful demonstration of Neptec's Obscurant Penetrating Autosynchronous LIDAR (OPAL) sensor that is integrated into CAE's Augmented Visionics System (AVS). CAE's AVS solution is being developed to enable helicopter pilots to operate safely in the most extreme conditions, including landing in brownouts when dust recirculation caused by rotor downwash obscures the pilot's view during critical maneuvering operations at very low altitudes. During recent testing at the United States Department of Defense (DoD) Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona, Neptec's OPAL was used to successfully penetrate dust clouds generated by the UH-1 test helicopter. More importantly, OPAL could "see through" brownout conditions opaque to the human eye to easily differentiate between rocks, bushes, sloping terrain, utility poles, ground vehicles, and wires at distances greater than 200 meters. The high-resolution detail returned by OPAL provides situational awareness critical to helicopter pilots when attempting to land in near-zero visibility conditions. CAE's AVS solution combines Neptec's OPAL as well as other sensors such as forward-looking infrared (FLIR) with the CAE-developed common database (CDB), which was originally developed for the United States Special Operations Command to support rapid, correlated database production. The fundamental concept for CAE's AVS solution is to take OPAL's 3D sensor data and update the CDB for real-time processing of a synthetic image showing the area surrounding the helicopter, including terrain and potential obstacles. "CAE is best known for the development of high-fidelity synthetic environments created for use in full-mission simulators used for training and mission rehearsal exercises," said Adolfo Klassen, CAE's Chief Technology Officer. "Our AVS technology development is an innovative application of our synthetic environment expertise that brings a high-fidelity synthetic image into the cockpit in real-time to address all operations in degraded visibility." "We are excited to work with a global leader such as CAE. This partnership is a good example of two industry experts coming together to solve a mission-critical problem and ultimately help save lives," said Dr. Iain Christie, President, Neptec. "With the incredible resolution OPAL delivers, pilots will be able to view wires and cables down to a quarter inch size through brownouts, providing a natural view of the landing environment." Further development of the AVS technology is part of CAE's recently announced Project Falcon, a C$714 million dollar research and development program at CAE that will span the next five years. The goal of Project Falcon is to expand CAE's current modeling and simulation technologies and develop new applications for these technologies, such as the AVS solution. As part of the AVS development, CAE and Neptec have signed an exclusive joint development agreement. Specializing in advanced space, defense and industrial systems and applications, Neptec maintains a reputation of quality and reliability in the design, manufacturing, installation and support of its sensor systems with the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and other major space programs. With new solutions for aerospace, defense and industry, Neptec, a NASA prime contractor, continues to be a pioneer in the innovative use of mission critical systems and applications. http://www.neptec.com/ CAE is a world leader in providing simulation and modelling technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces around the globe. With annual revenues exceeding C$1.4 billion, CAE employs approximately 7,000 people at more than 75 sites and training locations in 20 countries. We have the largest installed base of civil and military full-flight simulators and training devices. Through our global network of 27 civil aviation and military training centres, we train more than 75,000 crewmembers yearly. We also offer modelling and simulation software to various market segments and, through CAE's professional services division, we assist customers with a wide range of simulation-based needs. http://www.cae.com/ High resolution photos available at cae.com/photos DATASOURCE: Neptec Design Group CONTACT: CAE contacts: Nathalie Bourque, Vice President, Public Affairs and Global Communications, CAE, (514) 734-5788, ; Trade media: Chris Stellwag, Director, Marketing Communications, Simulation Products and Military Training & Services, CAE, (813) 887-1242, ; Investor relations: Andrew Arnovitz, Vice President, Investor Relations and Strategy, CAE, (514) 734-5760, ; Neptec contacts: Jason Di Tommaso, Vice President, Global Marketing and Strategic Development, Neptec, (613) 599-7602, ext. 361, ; Trade media for Neptec: Cerys Goodall, High Road Communications, (416) 644-2254,

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