Stand-Off Laser Airspeed Sensor (SOLAS)

Real-time knowledge of accurate helicopter airspeed enhances crew situational awareness and reduces pilot workload in MH-60S Airborne Mine Counter Measure (AMCM) operations. However, conventional pitot-static indicators are not accurate in low speed flight due to local effects of turbulent rotor wash. Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) with subsidiary, Q-Peak, Inc. (Q-Peak) proposes a powerful new enabling technology for wind/airspeed monitoring using a small, ruggedized on-board coherent wind LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). The “Stand-Off Laser Airspeed Sensor” (SOLAS) uses a compact laser scanner to detect all-direction airspeed using laminar wind data from outside of the rotor wash zone. SOLAS is based on a novel laser transmitter/receiver architecture with optimized temperature, vibration, and frequency stability for military applications. The cost and complexity of SOLAS is minimized using “passive Q-switch” and “fiber delay line” techniques developed by Q-Peak. The laser has no moving parts, liquids, or disposable elements. The scanner can be easily clamp-mounted as part of the CSTRS rack system, or eventually integrated into the MH-60S airframe in a similar manner as the current pitot-static sensor head. Airspeed data is processed aboard SOLAS for output to glass cockpit or other display systems in real-time.