Research & Development
JAXA promotes three research and development programs and a fundamental research program that underpins them.
WEATHER-Eye (WEATHER-Endurance Aircraft Technology to Hold, Evade and Recover by Eye) technology
Weather conditions have a major impact on aircraft operation. Winter in Japan brings with it some of the world’s harshest conditions for aircraft. For example, the adherence of snow and ice to the airframe has a significant impact on aircraft operation, particularly during takeoff. Snow accumulation on runways increases the risk of an overshoot, given the slippery quality of snow in Japan, and the fact that relatively large aircraft are operated on short runways. Moreover, lightning during winter (winter lightning) carries more energy than lightning in summer, causing greater damage when it strikes an airframe.
Aircraft are designed to maintain a measure of safety even if they are subjected to the adherence of snow and ice or a lightning strike, and so on. It is also true that measures are taken to ensure they are operated more safely even at the expense of efficiency. In the event of weather conditions that exceed our assumptions, serious accidents and malfunctions may occur.
In order to efficiently maintain airframe safety against weather conditions, JAXA is conducting research and development of WEATHER-Eye (WEATHER-Endurance Aircraft Technology to Hold, Evade and Recover by Eye), which is a group of technologies designed to detect airframe, runway, and weather conditions, and predict and protect against weather impact. The technologies that comprise WEATHER-Eye are contaminated runway detection technology, lightning risk prediction technology, lightning protection technology, engine anti-icing/deicing technology, and engine CMAS (Calcium-Magnesium-Alumino-Silicate) prevention technology, and gust alleviation technology.
Operation image
Contaminated runway detection technology
Real-time monitoring of the conditions of snow and ice on runways enables a swift decision making on whether an aircraft can land or take off safely. Previously, monitoring of snow accumulation on runways was limited to sensors that could assess the presence of snow to help decide whether it needed to be removed. In order to support operation, however, more detailed information about snow accumulation and the conditions of snow and ice is needed. To address this need, through a joint industry-government-academia research, JAXA is working to develop an embedded runway sensor that measures the type and depth of snow and ice.
Image of contaminated runway detection technology
Lightning risk prediction technology
Advance information about weather conditions that might cause icing or lightning strikes makes it possible for an aircraft to avoid weather conditions that present a threat during operation. In addition to contributing to aircraft safety, this also reduces airframe repairs to fix damages caused by lightning strikes, which leads to improved operating efficiency. Accordingly, JAXA has started working to develop technology for the advance detection of weather conditions.
FLIGHT PATH No.15/16 "Tactical lightning avoidance technology"
Image of system using lightning risk prediction technology
Lightning protection technology
It is difficult to prevent all lightning from striking aircraft. Therefore, it is extremely important to minimize the damage caused to airframes by lightning strikes. In response, through an industry-government-academia partnership, JAXA is working to develop technology that minimizes damage caused by lightning strikes through the use of special structures and materials. Moreover, JAXA has also started working on technology that controls where on the airframe lightning strikes.
Image of lightning protection technology
Engine anti-icing/de-icing technology
The adherence of ice to engines, especially fans, may cause a decrease of thrust or damage to the inside of the engines by detached ice. To address this issue, JAXA is working to develop numerical simulation and experimental techniques for icing, a wing design that reduces ice accretion, and heating technology for anti-icing and de-icing.
Engine CMAS prevention technology
Dust (volcanic ash and grit) entering a jet engine may cause erosion, damaging the fan or turbine. Under certain conditions, deposition may occur, causing volcanic ash to adhere to the fan or turbine and decreased thrust. To help prevent this, JAXA has started working to develop technology for increasing anti-erosion and anti-deposition properties.
Gust alleviation technology
Turbulence detection, advice, and avoidance are the key to prevent turbulence-induced aircraft accidents. we are developing the gust alleviation technology named named “System for Turbulence Alleviation By Lidar Employed controller (STABLE)”.
