LandSafe™

The LandSafe™ aircraft survivability system provides altitude, groundspeed, drift angle, airspeed, true windspeed and direction at speeds down to 0 knots to allow for safe vertical lift aircraft operations in Degraded Visibility Environments – DVE ("brown-out" and "white-out" conditions). Research and development for the LandSafe™ system is ongoing at OADS, meanwhile production of this technology for military aviation applications has been licensed to Rockwell Collins.

Pitot-static systems do not provide accurate data below 40 knots. Inertial and GPS groundspeed data do not provide sufficient update rate and accuracy, particularly in canyon and mountainous areas where the GPS signals are degraded. There are often no visual cues in the cockpit to assist pilots in determining ground location and aircraft flight conditions. This leads to "seat-of-the-pants" flying low to the ground at low speeds. In DVE conditions, this has led to numerous aircraft accidents and loss of life.

LandSafe™ will integrate geolocation information (GPS/INS) with LIDAR-provided groundspeed and altitude to enable precision hover and touchdown points for vertical lift aircraft. This system will provide these parameters at the accuracy and update rate necessary during this critical stage of flight. This information will be displayed on a hover display of aircraft position and speed in relation to the intended touchdown point.

Rockwell Collins Landsafe™ Press Release

LandSafe™ Videos

LandSafe™ Dust Testing - Video 1

LandSafe™ Dust Testing - Video 2

LandSafe™ Dust Testing - Video 3
(Larger Version)