The use of commercial remote sensing in predicting helicopter brownout conditions
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Authors
Rabaja, Christine Kay.
Subjects
Advisors
Olsen, Richard C.
Date of Issue
2009-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from RADARSAT-2 is analyzed for detection of soils susceptible to helicopter brownout. Helicopter brownout occurs when downwash disturbs the dust and sand beneath the aircraft during takeoff, landing, and low altitude operations. Brownout may lead to pilot spatial disorientation and loss of control, causing helicopter damage or destruction, as well as personnel injury or death. The likelihood of helicopter brownout is related to soil moisture content, particle size distribution, and surface texture. This research explores the polarimetric signatures of soils, and determines if these characteristics can be used to predict areas that are susceptible to helicopter brownout. Preliminary results show that helicopter brownout regions can be predicted by means of a simple threshold.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xiv, 75 p. : ill. (chiefly col.) ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.