AFRL Develops Partial Solution to Helicopter Brownout

  • Published
  • By Munitions Directorate
  • AFRL/MN
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  At the request of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), an AFRL rapid reaction team successfully integrated and tested a science and technology (S&T) solution to helicopter brownout, a problem that occurs during takeoffs and landings performed in the dry, dusty conditions of the desert and similarly arid environments. The blowing sand and dirt (i.e., brownout event) dramatically reduces pilot visibility, and AFSOC has attributed the loss of more than 30 rotarywing aircraft--and 60 servicemember lives--to the critical problem. AFRL scientists and engineers worked with Applied Minds, Inc., to develop a short-term, "see and remember" prototype system for reducing aircraft accidents caused by the loss of visual cues during takeoff and landing operations. Less than 5 months after receiving the AFSOC request, the AFRL team began flying the prototype system on a commercial helicopter. 

This S&T solution--known as the Photographic Landing Augmentation System for Helicopters, or PhLASH for short--employs an electro-optical sensor and infrared strobe lights to image and georegister the ground (i.e., match the image to a coordinate on the earth's surface) prior to the pilot's landing attempt (i.e., before the brownout condition ensues). 

During the helicopter's final approach, but before the aircraft triggers brownout, PhLASH captures a series of high-resolution digital still images of the landing area. The system transforms these images in real time based on the vehicle's subsequent flight path, resulting in a video-like display of the landing area and nearby obstacles, along with symbology indicating the vehicle's current position. The display will not reflect any changes to the landing zone from the point that PhLASH captures its most recent image (the last taken before brownout begins) until the aircraft's landing; however, this time span is typically less than 20 seconds. 

AFRL recently completed developmental and operational testing of the system on an MH-53 helicopter. The next phase of the program involves the integration of PhLASH on operational helicopters. The Office of the Secretary of Defense selected the PhLASH program for $1.75 million of quick-reaction funding towards development of a ruggedized system suitable for permanent installation.