R&D of onboard safety avionics technology to prevent turbulence-induced aircraft accidents (SafeAvio)
According to the "White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan" (2010), more than 50% of domestic airline accidents over the past 10 years were caused by turbulence. Presently, a turbulence accompanied by rain clouds can be detected to some degree by a passenger aircraft using weather radar and/or by consulting weather forecast in advance, but it is difficult to foresee possible turbulence unaccompanied by rain clouds (clear air turbulence). If turbulence were perceivable in advance, various measures may be taken such as bypassing the turbulence affected area or, when that is not possible, turning on the seat-belt sign or suspending cabin service so that reduction of accidents can be achieved.
The R&D of onboard safety avionics technology to prevent turbulence-induced aircraft accidents (SafeAvio) mission will develop onboard Doppler LIDAR capable of detecting once-undetectable clear-air turbulence and conduct flight demonstrations of its system for preventing turbulence-induced aircraft accidents, which provides pilots with turbulence-related information. By combining information on the detected turbulence with aircraft attitude control systems, the project will also develop gust alleviation technology that suppresses sudden aircraft shake caused by turbulence.
System for preventing turbulence-induced aircraft accidents
By emitting a couple of laser beams from an aircraft, receiving scattered light from aerosol particles (fine water drops and dust, etc.) suspended in the air, and analyzing light wavelength variation caused by the Doppler effect, a Doppler LIDAR can determine transitions in airflow - otherwise known as turbulence - based on wavelength variation. This makes it possible to detect clear-air turbulence that the weather radar on most aircraft have failed to identify.
The Doppler LIDAR developed to date has reached a technically sufficient level for practical use, and can be made even smaller if used exclusively at low altitudes and low speeds, such as during takeoff and landing. This technology warns a pilot with an alarm to avoid danger when turbulence is detected during landing approach.
Gust alleviation technology
Next Generation Aeronautical Innovation Hub Center
For high-altitude use, on top of pursuing miniaturization or power enhancement, we are researching and developing gust alleviation technology that reduces aircraft shake by automatically controlling the control surfaces (hinged flight control surfaces [ailerons, etc.] that control the attitude of the aircraft) based on estimated airflow vector data detected by two laser beams. Using this technology, we aim to help cut the number of turbulence-induced aircraft accidents by half.
- Relevant department
- Technology Demonstration Research Unit
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