Rockwell Collins [COL] and Optical Air Data Systems, LLC (OADS) have teamed to introduce a new solution called LandSafe(tm) to help helicopters navigate and land safely in degraded visual environments, especially brownout conditions.
The LandSafe solution was developed through an exclusive licensing agreement between the two companies and incorporates commercial-off-the-shelf fiber optic laser technology to “sense through” particulate matter such as dust, snow, rain, smoke or fog while providing altitude, groundspeed and airspeed information to the flight crew.
LandSafe is being evaluated by the U.S. Marine Corps for the CH-53E helicopter for possible inclusion in Rockwell Collins’ Common Avionics Architecture System upgrade.
“This system will help bring a whole new level of safety to helicopter crews by addressing one of the greatest hazards they face,” Phil Jasper, vice president and general manager of Mobility and Rotary Wing Solutions at Rockwell Collins, said.
Phil Rogers, president of Optical Air Data Systems, said: “Our Landsafe solution will save lives and expand the operational envelope of rotary wing aircraft. For the first time, rotary winged aircraft will have the ability to land and take off at unprepared landing sites anywhere in the world, providing operational commanders with a true expeditionary capability.”
“Additionally, this is a great example of transitioning a new technology developed under the Small Business Innovation Research program to production,” Rogers said.
Additional future applications of LandSafe technology include laser wind sensing that can profile winds and detect turbulence or obtain measurements for artillery aiming devices.
Optical Air Data Systems, LLC, develops fiber optic laser sensors and is the winner of numerous awards for innovative technology, including the 2007 Small Business Technology Council’s Roland Tibbetts Award for outstanding achievement.