Fighter jet technology to help transportation of competition horses
Britain’s elite equestrian teams are set to benefit from sensor technologies usually used in fighter jets in a bid to improve the competitive performance of horses.
Equus-Sense, the sensor system built for the British Equestrian Foundation by defence and aerospace firm BAE Systems, builds upon technology used to monitor cockpit conditions and air quality in the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
Horses travelling by plane for international competition can often be adversely affected by the effects of long-haul flights.
The project is part of an ongoing partnership between BAE Systems and government agency UK Sport to improve the experiences of horses being transported to competitions overseas.
The bespoke monitoring unit will allow trainers to measure various environmental factors such as sound, temperature, vibration, humidity, dust levels and oxygen to ensure optimal conditions for horses onboard planes.
According to Henry White, UK Sport Partnership lead at BAE Systems, marginal gains can “help leverage a real competitive advantage” when it comes to elite sport.
“We develop aircraft and equipment monitoring technology which helps ensure our fighter pilots are as comfortable as possible to enable them to realise their incredible skills and there is no reason why horses cannot benefit from this,” he said.
“Applying such technology to horse transportation had its challenges but our expert engineers have developed such a system allowing the equestrian competitors to benefit and help gain an advantage.”
The Equus-Sense unit will allow teams to evaluate individual horses to ensure they are fit for competition upon arrival at horse riding events across the world. Its development was co-ordinated by the technology arm of the English Institute of Sport.
BAE Systems has previously offered its engineering and technological expertise to sports, helping skeleton competitor Amy Williams, who won a gold medal during the 2010 Winter Olympics, by examining her equipment and suggesting improvements.
In 2017, BAE Systems announced a four-year extension to its long-term partnership with UK Sport.
