Barbara Bergmeier, Head of Operations at Airbus Defence and Space, said, “our suppliers are key to our global success and we are pleased to have the opportunity to recognise the top performers on this stage and –in turn –further support our long term business relationships and performance.” The Best Innovator Overall award was presented to Kappa Optronics GmbH for their “highly engaged collaboration” with Airbus Defence and Space in the development of the new generation of cameras for the MRTT–the new generation tanker and strategic transport aircraft.
The tanker aircraft Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) will be upgraded to improve its in-flight refueling operations, even at night. Since the project’s beginnings, camera and vision system provider Kappa optronics has been a key supplier for the Airbus A330 MRTT and its Boom Enhanced Vision System (BEVS®) that sets standards industry wide with regard to security and performance. The overall system design is tailored so that receiver aircraft pilots will be able to execute this highly complex and dangerous in-flight refueling process safely as well as ergonomics are significantly improved. Kappa’s expanded technology portfolio encompasses vision systems for day and night vision. The Airbus MRTT project offers the opportunity to decisively develop camera technology further, making its use more efficient for various air and ground applications. The entire team at Kappa optronics thanks Airbus for this great recognition!