Helicopter Low-Level Operations (HELO) Laser-based Landing Aids (LLA)

What Is It?

Laser-based landing aids (LLA) will enhance helicopter pilot situational awareness in visually degraded environments. Helicopters are extremely susceptible to brownout in dusty landing zones, where the pilot can lose sight of the ground or obstructions while hovering. LLA will provide the pilot with a very accurate, real-time laser generated image of the landing zone, plus height-aboveground, drift rate/direction over the ground and relative wind.

How Does It Work?

The LLA program is investigating/developing multiple laser technologies that will aid the helicopter pilot in effectively operating his aircraft in severe visually degraded environments. These technologies include eye-safe pulsed lasers that provide height-above-ground, ground speed/direction and relative airspeed. Additionally, technologies are being investigated that will provide realtime landing zone terrain imaging and obstacle detection. Of particular interest is non-mechanical LADAR technology with video-image-quality display update rates.

What Will It Accomplish?

Laser-based landing aids will increase ability of warfi ghters to conduct vital helicopter operations in visually challenging environments, day and night.

The Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Future Naval Capability (FNC) program is structured to align with the Naval Power 21 vision set forth by both the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and to focus on providing Enabling Capabilities (ECs) to close warfighting gaps.

HELO focuses on the helicopter brownout problem with two products, one based on two-color IR and the other based on laser technology (i.e., LLA). Currently, ONR is developing LandSafe which provides the height-above-ground, ground speed / direction and airspeed solution. LandSafe is in the fi nal phase of development. HELO LLA is an FY09 FNC new-start EC designed to develop the technologies for real-time LZ imaging and obstacle detection with an expected TRL-6 by FY13.

The program will develop laser technologies that provide real-time landing zone imagery to the helicopter pilot, enabling him to detect obstacles and uneven terrain that would threaten the aircraft while landing in visually degraded environments. The objective is a system that is compact, lightweight and rugged.

The capability need for the LLA program is to provide signifi cantly increased and improved landing capabilities for survivability of current and future assault and heavy lift rotary wing aircraft deployed from the sea base to operate in austere, forward areas. This program will support and improve the effi ciency and safety of landing into unprepared landing zones. This will add situational awareness to enable enhanced surface feature mapping, understanding and obstacle detection in order to apply this technology to dusty landing zones or areas where visual cues are unavailable.

Research Opportunities:

The LLA program will open opportunities for laser research and technology development in four key areas:

  • Non-mechanical laser steering or scanning methods
  • Advanced rapid scanning receiver technologies
  • Advanced techniques for sensing through dust and other obscurants
  • Miniaturized, lightweight and ruggedized laser components

David Ludwig
david.ludwig@navy.mil
(703) 696-6942

 

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