Autonomous Approach Landing Capability Improves Situational Awareness For Air Mobility Platforms
14 Jun 2005
BAE Systems has developed a multi-sensor autonomous approach landing capability (AALC) for air mobility platforms that increases aircrew situational awareness in low- and no-visibility conditions. The BAE Systems AALC solution fuses millimeter-wave radar and an optical sensor either infrared or low-light television processing those inputs to render the best available image on a head-up, head down, or helmet-mounted display.
The system, drawing on BAE Systems pioneering technology in the weather-penetrating capabilities of the 94-GHz imaging radar technology, is designed to permit aircraft landings in zero-ceiling/zero-visibility (0/0) conditions such as fog, dust, smoke, snow, and rain. It provides visual situational awareness of the runway environment, enhances obstacle avoidance, and minimizes pilot spatial disorientation caused by lack of visual perspective.
AALC is fully autonomous, placing all sensors aboard the aircraft with no need for ground-based landing aids significantly improving flexibility in mission planning and execution.
Our solution offers a multi-spectral sensor approach that, when combined with flight symbology for aircraft control, provides our fighting forces unprecedented operational capability, said Dutch Neilson, director of BAE Systems Advanced Systems integrated product team.
In 2004, the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) awarded BAE Systems a contract to provide a platform-independent, integrated systems solution to meet Air Mobility Command autonomous approach landing requirements for the Defence Transportation System. Under that contract, BAE Systems is supplying an integrated system comprising a 94-GHz imaging radar fused with optical sensors, new digital light engine head up displays, and a multi-spectral radome.
The company currently is performing the systems integration phase of the 2004 AFRL contract.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of over 13 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
For further information, please contact:
Terry Kanakri, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 323 298 6946 Mobile: +1 323 893 6393
terry.kanakri@baesystems.com
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