Open Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Need

A short-range radar sensor is proposed to detect and warn about potential wingtip collisions before they occur. The Air Force has seen an average of 4-5 towing accidents per year averaging over $100,000 in damage per incident. A radar sensor mounted on the plane can detect objects approaching the wings or engines and provide an alert to the tow operator to stop. The short-range radar utilizes an 60GHz phased array radar to see the potential collision events. It achieves up to 40m detection range for the largest C5 aircraft. It has electronic beam forming/steering, providing variable beamwidth to scan the leading edge of the wings and forward for appropriate reaction time. Enhanced versions of the proposed sensor can provide additional information as to the exact location and time to the potential impact. OmniPreSense is working with Railhead, a supplier of wing walker wands to the Air Force, to provide a complete solution. The same product can be used by commercial airlines who have the same type of accidents.