Laser Obstacle Detection System Flight Testing

摘要

The USSOCOM Mission Needs Statement (MNS) and Joint Operational Requirements Document (JORDS) on a Cable Warning/Obstacle Avoidance System define the need for an obstacle detection sensor for U.S. Military helicopters. The Helicopter Laser Radar System (HELLAS) was developed in Germany by EADS- Dornier. The Laser Obstacle Detection System (LODS) Foreign Comparative Test (FCT) program began in March 2002 with the objective of evaluating the HELLAS on a U.S. Army helicopter. The managing agency of the LODS-FCT is the U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD). The Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) was contracted to mount the HELLAS sensor on the nose of a UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter and to conduct flight tests to evaluate the HELLAS obstacle detection sensor. The UH-60L aircraft chosen as the host platform was Tail Number 468. The primary goal of the LODS-FCT flight demonstration was to evaluate, on a helicopter platform, the capability of the UH-6OL-mounted HELLAS system to detect wires along the flight path and as an aide to avoid the wires. To achieve this objective, sensor installation, aircraft checkout, and flight testing were conducted. Concurrent with this testing, laser raw data (angle-angle-range) including INU/GPS data to support studies was collected to determine the ability of the HELLAS system to detect general obstacles (poles, towers, etc.) and to provide precision landing information to assist rotary wing aircraft and UAV's during the critical landing phases of shipboard operations. Enclosures include a CHPPM Laser Safety Test Report, LODS FCT Flight Test Plan, Daily Flight Reports, Flight Test Cards (Pilot), and Flight Test Cards (System Operator). (18 figures, 2 tables, 5 refs. ).