An Onboard Coherent Lidar Wake Turbulence Sensor

A forward and lateral looking scanning Doppler lidar is proposed for use onboard aircraft to sense and display windshear in the vicinity of the planned flight path, particularly windshear due to the vortex wakes of preceding large aircraft. The goal is to provide the pilot with an assessment, visual display, and warning of the windshear in the vicinity of the projected flight path, with warning times of one to two minutes. This information can be used to aid decisions for flight maneuvers, and to avoid or mitigate the stresses associated with windshear encounters. The Phase I effort will evaluate the potential of candidate lidar configurations and will structure a development plan for a scanning Doppler lidar wake hazard detection, display, and warning system suitable for use on military and commercial aircraft. Detection performance, cockpit display and warning systems, and production cost are considered to be the prime parameters to be quantified during Phase I. Phase II would develop a detailed prototype design and carry out test and concept validation measurements.