Blast Technology of BAE Helps the Pilots When Landing

Published:2011/9/15 22:40:00 Author:Li xiao na From:SeekIC

The brownout landing aid system technology or Blast, which is developed by BAE Systems, tries to help the pilots to maintain situational awareness in degraded visual environments, such as brownout, fog and smoke. This technology applies a millimetre-wave radar seeker to scan a landing zone in real time, and it connects with digital terrain elevation data. By a brownout symbology set shown using a cockpit, head-up or helmet-mounted display, the pilots can receive information and warnings of obstacles.

This technology is originally developed European missile manufacturer MBDA’s Brimstone air-to-surface missile. The 94 GHz seeker is housed within a 7in-diameter aperture and will weigh just 4.5-6.8kg (10-15lb) for a production system. The entire Blast system will have an installed weight of just 13.6-15.9kg, including its one supporting line-replaceable unit and associated wiring.

When compared with current designs which rely on laser radar technology, the brownout landing aid system technology or blast is much lighter. Consequently, Blast could be integrated with small types, like the Boeing AH-6 Little Bird, as well as being suitable for use by transports such as the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Sikorsky CH-53 and Bell Boeing V-22.

Because of the dusty conditions encountered while landing, the US military in particular has encountered a high accident rate during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Experts point out that it is a technology issue, so getting the right size, weight and right maturity is very important.

This technology has passed so many professional tests now. BAE plans to launch low-rate initial production of the Blast system around late 2013. But the plan may be accelerated with the support and interest of the customers. With wider applications to follow for both new-build and in-service aircraft, initial users for the system will be from the combat search and rescue and special operations communities.

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