A Multifunction UWB Radar Sensor for Enhanced Helicopter Flight Safety and Minefield Detection

A new system is required aboard U.S. Army helicopters to assist the pilot in the landing of the aircraft in brown out or white out conditions. The brown out condition occurs when a helicopter attempts to land in a sandy environment and the downwash from the rotor kicks up the sand, engulfing the aircraft in a cloud of dust. The pilot can not see the ground nor can he maneuver the aircraft for a safe landing. An onboard radar altimeter indicates the aircraft height above the ground. However, a real problem contributing to accidents and aircraft strikes is the uncommanded and unsensed drift of the helicopter either in a front to back or side to side motion. There are no sensors currently onboard to detect this motion. This slow motion can not be detected by the pilot and can result in a collision with an object or depression on the ground This proposal addresses this situation and puts forth a new concept for a small radar system. The proposed system will provide a display sufficient for the pilot to determine and correct for the drift of the platform and will allow for safe landings.