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Next Generation Wind Measurement Technology
Navy SBIR 2016.2 - Topic N162-102 NAVAIR - Ms. Donna Attick - donna.moore@navy.mil Opens: May 23, 2016 - Closes: June 22, 2016 N162-102
TITLE: Next Generation Wind Measurement Technology TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Sensors ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 251 Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment OBJECTIVE: Develop an innovative and low cost wind measurement solution capable of mapping wind speed and direction for the entire airspace for US Navy Air Capable Ships. DESCRIPTION: The US Navy's air capable ships and aircraft carriers currently use a wind system to measure digital wind speed and direction information, such as crosswind, head wind, relative wind and true wind, to support air operations, navigation, tactical planning, combat, and firefighting by displaying this information to the ship’s crew in multiple locations around the ship and to other systems. The current system requires an interface with the ship’s navigation system, to calculate and display true wind. The current system is only capable of taking measurements at the two or three locations where sensors are installed. The displays are also required to display launch and recovery envelopes and overlay that on the wind data to provide situational awareness to the ship’s crew to enable them to steer the ship within the approved envelope for aircraft operations. Accurate wind data plays a critical role in Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) performance and pilot safety during the launch and recovery of aircraft. For instance, a wind difference of two knots can change the parameters for launching an aircraft off a carrier. The US Navy desires a new low cost solution to accurately measure wind data on the flight deck where aircraft are being launched or recovered as well as areas of interest out in space due to reports where the current wind sensors did not accurately represent the actual wind at the flight deck catapult. These anomalies were during higher sea states when the pitching deck created air turbulences that propagated across the deck. This added capability to map the entire airspace surrounding the ship would be beneficial to the fleet with regards to ordnance delivery, navigation, and the launch and recovery of aircraft, as well as the validation of computational fluid dynamics airwake turbulence models. Targeted production costs for each new system are $10K for a single standardized smart module and $3K for each wind sensor. This new solution should support all air capable ship classes and shore stations with a single standardized smart module capable of recognizing multiple configurations of sensors and displays. The architecture should be such that adding sensors and displays to the system can be accomplished quickly and easily with a self-configuration rather than a lengthy manual process An innovative approach is needed to identify the most cost effective methods to achieve the Navy’s requirements. It is desired that the new system have the capability to self-calibrate to reduce maintenance costs and have built in tests to detect faults. Previous research in this field has shown the following technology challenges that must be addressed: The system’s threshold requirements are as follows: PHASE I: Provide a conceptual design of the wind measurement system. Prove the feasibility of meeting the stated requirements through analysis and lab demonstrations. Identify specific strategies for minimizing system hardware costs. PHASE II: Build a prototype system and demonstrate accuracy and coverage in a commercial wind tunnel. Demonstrate performance in poor weather by simulating rain/fog. Provide an estimate of per-unit cost with backup cost data, including parts/manufacturing. Provide a top-level failure analysis and service life estimate. Provide a top-level assessment of whether the system would pass MIL-STD-810G. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Further develop complete system architecture with sensing modules and displays optimized for the shipboard application including required environmental qualification and shock testing. Test prototype system to verify requirements established by NAVAIR. Provide production units for aircraft carriers and air capable ships. Private Sector Commercial Potential: Potential uses include private and commercial maritime environments, private and commercial air fields, meteorology, and monitoring potential sites for harvesting wind energy. REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Surface Aviation Ships; Wind Measurement System; Modular Design; Airwake Turbulence; Computational Fluid Dynamics; Reduced Total Ownership Costs
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