Aviation Safety Technologies

Abstract

Develop and test promising aviation safety technologies. This funding supports Secretary Gates’ direction to achieve a 75% reduction in accidents and supports the Defense Safety Oversight Council's (DSOC) pursuit of aviation safety technologies, as endorsed in the Secretary’s May 30, 2007 memorandum, “Zero Preventable Mishaps.” In FY 09, there were 29 Class A aviation accidents with 18 destroyed aircraft and 28 fatalities. Mid-air collisions are currently the #2 cause of fatalities in fighter/attack aircraft. The DSOC used a data-driven approach to identify and evaluate the most effective hardware and software technologies to be implemented to reduce preventable aviation mishaps. The DSOC task force surveyed existing programs and provided an assessment of the viability and advisability of future resource investments. These investments will fund hardware and software technology to prevent helicopters and fighter aircraft mishaps. Specifically, this effort will develop and flight test an Automatic Air Collision Avoidance System (AACAS) suitable for use in the dynamic, fighter air-to-air training environment. This effort completes the design and flight test of an automatic air collision avoidance system in an F-16 test-bed, with applicability to all modern fighters and potentially UASs. From FY 06 – FY 10 a team of automatic collision avoidance experts from AFRL, NASA, and Lockheed-Martin Aeronautics developed and flight tested the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS). Following a highly successful flight test, this system is now undergoing operational integration in the F-16, F-22, and F-35 and is projected to prevent over 150 Class A mishaps over the lifespan of these aircraft, saving the Department over $10B in replacement costs. In FY 10, with funding directed by RMD 802, this same team began design work on the AACAS. Design efforts are on track with simulation testing scheduled for early FY11. Collision avoidance was recommended for funding in FY 2010. The Secretary stated that we can not and should not tolerate the injuries, costs, and capability losses from preventable accidents.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2012
Source ID
0606301D8Z_6_0400_PB_2012
Change Summary Explanation
Service Agency Name
Office of Secretary Of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Algorithms
  • Aviation Accidents
  • Aviation Safety
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Collision Avoidance Systems
  • Collisions
  • Costs
  • Data Links
  • Fatalities
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Indirect Costs
  • Safety
  • Task Forces

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.

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