Integrated IR and Millimeter-Wave Sensor System

This proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of a hybrid terrain and obstacle sensor consisting of a near-infrared (NIR) LIDAR and millimeter-wave (MMW) imaging RADAR. The proposed solution is meant to solve the current capability gap to provide manned and unmanned rotary wing vehicles reliable obstacle detection and avoidance cues during hover, landing, and low-elevation flight maneuvers. This capability gap is particularly acute when considerations such as rain, fog, and dust are present as visual obscurants for the pilots. Key highlights of the proposed architecture include: • Trex has completed the development of a proof-of-principal (TRL 4) millimeter-wave imaging radar capable of extracting azimuth, elevation, and range data through rain, fog, and dust • Fibertek has completed a phase II SBIR developing a NIR LIDAR for eye-safe, high-resolution extraction of azimuth, elevation, and range data as well as improved performance in the presence of dust and fog • The integrated hybrid system provides real-time data extraction of the surrounding environment with high resolution (LIDAR), all-weather medium resolution (RADAR), through dust (RADAR), and day/night operation (LIDAR, RADAR) capability • Nav3D brings specific domain knowledge regarding data requirements for their synthetic vision system