Rockwell Collins is demonstrating its next-generation MultiScan Hazard Detection weather radar to airlines, with the software upgrade scheduled to be fielded in September next year.
MultiScan automated the radar gain and antenna tilt functions to reduce crew workload, and the new Version 2.0 adds predictive weather analysis and hazard detection features, says Rockwell Collins. In MultiScan, weather cells detected by the radar are stored in a digital database, which then generates normalised displays for the pilot and co-pilot. MultiScan Hazard Detection adds directed sequential hazard analysis, in which the radar determines whether the detected cells pose a threat using a combination of horizontal and vertical scans to determine height and growth, says principal engineer Don Woodell.
Using the information, the radar then analyses weather hazards along the aircraft’s flightpath, beginning with the closest and highest-priority cells, and displays turbulence, lightning and hail threats to the crew. Version 2.0 adds the capability to display the threats as icons, and not just colour-coded pixels, says Woodell.
The radar estimates and displays the top of a storm to allow the crew to plan an avoidance path, while it also measures growth rate to predict whether the “bow wave” of clear air turbulence above a developing storm cell will reach the aircraft’s flight level.
Version 2.0 also includes the E-Turb turbulence hazard prediction algorithm developed with AeroTech Research and NASA.
This calculates the g loading on the aircraft that will result from the measured turbulence and produces a two-level hazard advisory display: speckled magenta for light to mild turbulence requiring seat belts on; and solid magenta for moderate to severe turbulence to be avoided.
A Version 3.0 with lightning sensor and runway incursion detection is under development to be available 18 months later.
Source: Flight International