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

This Phase I SBIR proposal is directed at the development of the design for a helicopter radar landing aid to assist the pilot in landing in brown out or white out conditions where the helicopter is engulfed in a cloud of sand or snow as it descends. The proposed down-looking, time modulated ultra wideband (TM-UWB) radar is to be mounted on the bottom of the fuselage of the helicopter. This small and short range radar will use a dual orthogonal linear array antenna and multiple parallel and independent low power channels to form a three dimensional image of the landing area beneath the descending helicopter. The virtual image generated by the system will be displayed and will allow the pilot to observe all obstacles and gullies beneath the helicopter. The system will provide the pilot with the ability to ensure that each of the aircraft's landing gear is clear of obstacles or depressions.