Lt Col V S Velan, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Elena Geo Systems, was honored with the ‘Igor I Sikorsky’ Award for technical excellence. Civil Aviation Minister S K Rammohan Naidu presented him the award at a ceremony in New Delhi on November 5. .
According to a press release , the award recognizes Lt Col Velan’s outstanding contribution to helicopter navigation technology, particularly his development of the Elena NavIC Handheld Navigator (ELNHHN) – an advanced navigation tool tailored to the unique challenges of helicopter operation.
The ELNHHN, an entirely indigenous product, offers a cost-effective and reliable alternative to imported navigation systems. Powered by NavIC, GPS, and GLONASS, it provides robust Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions, ensuring accuracy and dependability even under a helicopter rotor. The handheld device enables pilots to conduct precise route planning, flight path monitoring, and seamless take-offs and landings. This versatile navigator functions effectively within the cockpit and includes additional tools, such as barometric altitude readings, military grid references, and environmental data for enhanced artillery targeting and battlefield intelligence.
Commenting on this achievement, Lt Col Velan stated, “This award underscores our dedication to a ‘Make in India, for a Safe India’ vision. The Elena NavIC Navigator exemplifies how indigenous technology can meet the critical needs of our Indian Heli Industry, delivering unmatched precision and safety. By reducing our dependence on foreign equipment, we’re strengthening India’s defence capability and future.”
Founded by Lt. Col. V S Velan and incubated at IIT Kharagpur, Elena Geo Systems has led NavIC technology since its inception in 2012.
