MOSCOW, July 12 (AVN) - The Air Force included the Selena-V new ground marking equipment of passive type into its inventory, in accordance with the order of the defence minister, a source in the orders and supplies department of the Air Force told the Military News Agency.
Selena-V is intended for equipping helicopter pads and airfields that are used by helicopter units. It was designed and built by Volare air transport company that now carries out its serial production and supplies. The estimated annual demand for the system makes 38 sets for airfields and 126 sets for heli-pads. The cost of one system for the chopper pads makes RUR138,000 (about USD5,000) including 20 percent of the spare parts cost.
First Selena-V mock-up underwent state tests in 1997. It proved that it was 10 times cheaper than the similar electronic systems. It does not demand cable junctures, control board or energy source. The system works as follows. The landing plane lights the ground markers with landing lamps and the crew sees the approach lights, the light horizon, and landing lights at two-three kilometres away from the airfield or heli-pad at the flight altitude of 170-180m above ground.
The system weighs 200kg and is one cubic metre in volume. It can be loaded and unloaded by two men in 20 minutes. The equipment practically cannot be detected by enemy visual reconnaissance means.
The service life of the ground marking equipment is set for 10 years. Its service maintenance is effected by the communications and radio-technics aviation detachments support units and can be done without running expenses.