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Potential capabilities of aircraft laser landing systems
Applied Optics
|November 10, 2016
Summary
New laser landing systems (LLS) can ensure aircraft landings in low visibility (800m). Calculations show required laser powers for reliable detection of fixed extended landmarks under various conditions.
Area of Science:
- Aviation engineering
- Optical systems
- Aerospace technology
Background:
- Aircraft landing systems require high reliability, especially in low visibility conditions.
- Current systems face limitations during adverse weather, impacting aviation safety.
- Laser-based systems offer potential for enhanced guidance and precision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate the efficiency of a laser landing system (LLS).
- To determine minimum required laser powers for detecting fixed extended landmarks (FELs).
- To assess LLS performance under real operational conditions, including varying visibility and lighting.
Main Methods:
- Calculating minimum required fluxes of scattered radiation from FELs.
- Modeling laser beam detection under specific meteorological visibility ranges (Sm=800 m).
- Analyzing laser powers (Pmin) for different wavelengths (λ=0.52 and 0.64 μm) and angular deviations (ϕ=0°-5°).
Main Results:
- Minimum required laser powers of 0.5 W are identified for nighttime detection at 1.0-1.6 km.
- Green and red laser beams are visible up to 1.0-1.2 km during twilight.
- Calculations confirm feasibility for a new-generation LLS meeting ICAO Category 1 standards.
Conclusions:
- The proposed laser landing system is viable for ensuring aircraft landings in 800m visibility.
- The system can operate reliably under nighttime and twilight conditions.
- This technology advances aviation safety and operational capabilities in challenging weather.
