USA flag logo/image

An Official Website of the United States Government

Obstacle Display for Hover in Degraded Visual Environments

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Army 		Award ID:
73562 		Program Year/Program:
2005 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
A043-078-0449 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Anacapa Sciences, Inc.
301 East Carrillo Street 2FL P. O. Box 519 Santa Barbara, CA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2005
Title: Obstacle Display for Hover in Degraded Visual Environments
Agency / Branch: DOD / ARMY
Contract: W911W6-06-C-0030
Award Amount: $730,000.00
 

Abstract:

The objective of this topic is to develop a Rotorcraft Obstacle Avoidance Display (ROAD) that alerts pilots to hazards in confined areas, especially at night and in degraded visual environments. The Army loses an average of $58 million and 14 lives each year to obstacle strikes and the civilian helicopter industry is similarly devastated. The ROAD is designed to provide pilots with an easily understood display of obstacles 360 degrees around the aircraft and provide auditory or tactile alerts to the cue the pilot to the most immediate unseen threats, especially those within 100 meters. Expert Army and civilian pilots have participated in structured interviews and simulator sessions to define the required content, format, and behavior of the ROAD, and are highly supportive of the concept. Feasibility studies have shown that a short-range sensor and a terrain database can meet the defined requirements. In Phase II, a specially designed flight simulator will be fabricated and employed in formal experiments to finalize the ROAD design. The testing of the pilot interface design concepts in the experiments will ensure that the ROAD is optimized for use during approach-to-landing, hover, landing, and take-off maneuvers, and reduces pilot workload while maximizing his situation awareness.

Principal Investigator:

Steven P. Rogers
Vice President
8059666157
sprogers@anacapasciences.com

Business Contact:

Douglas H. Harris
CEO
8059666157
dharris@anacapasciences.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

ANACAPA SCIENCES, INC.
301 East Carrillo Street 2FL P. O. Box 519 Santa Barbara, CA 93102

EIN/Tax ID: 952621814
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No