Development of a helicopter obstacle detection and air data system

This paper describes a sensor that provides the combination of obstacle detection, air data and wind velocity. This laser-based sensor, the Multi-Mode InfraRed Radar (MMIRR), has been under development for two years. An early prototype test flown in an Army helicopter in December 1999 validated the ability of the underlying technology to detect wires and measure True Airspeed (TAS) and wind velocity. This paper discusses: the results of the first demonstration flight; the technology program that reduced the technical risks in the laser, optics, scanner and signal processing areas; the technical hurdles, the tradeoffs and the resulting improvements in sensor performance; the results of tests of the improved MMIRR model that had a finer range resolution, wider field of view and an attitude-stabilized scanner. The projected performance and physical characteristics of a producible and affordable MMIRR product capable of providing obstacle detection and air data to helicopter pilots in the near future is provided