"ONR, meanwhile, plans a further evaluation of the Landsafe system under development by Optical Air Data Systems. This uses eye-safe fiber-optic lasers to both sense the ground in brownout conditions and provide accurate air data down to zero airspeed-a capability helicopters lack."Click here to read article
J. Gordon Leishman Awarded Grant for Study of Rotorcraft Brownout
"Leishman will lead a MURI* research grant to study rotorcraft brownout—a phenomenon that can cause hazardous conditions during helicopter take-off and landing in dry, desert terrain. Brownout causes a significant risk for pilots flying close to the ground, as blinding dust is stirred up by the rotor downwash, causing the pilot to lose visibility."
*University of Maryland - Multidisciplinary Research Initiative Program (MURI)
