Optical System Health Management for the Airborne Laser

Impact Technologies, in collaboration with HR Textron and Luna Innovations, propose the development of an innovative health management system for the Airborne Laser (ABL) but applicable to optical systems in general. The Optical Health Management System or OHMS, will be both a model-based and data-driven diagnostic system capable of unprecedented fault detection and isolation (reasoning). Furthermore, component and system-level prognostics will be employed where applicable all told enabling reduced troubleshooting times and maintenance logistics footprint over a system's lifecycle. While innovative optical sensing technologies are proposed, the core program focuses on enhanced fault detection, isolation and, in some cases, automated contingency management via ABL dynamic model generated Reasoners that make optimal use of existing evidence sources. A comprehensive system concept consisting of an on-board system for anomaly detection, diagnostics and operational/mission impact working in conjunction with ground support software for state-of-the-art maintainer interfaces and integrated XML databases will be demonstrated at the end of the Phase I program. Case studies showcasing the decision accuracy improvement and maintenance cost reduction possible with OHMS will be developed using simulated ABL optical faults and sets of actual optical system performance data provided by HR Textron.