Opportune Landing Site Program: Opportune Landing Site Southeastern Indiana Field Data Collection and Assessment
Abstract
Effectiveness in modern warfare demands rapid, lethal, and stealthy response to a wide variety of adversaries. This requires, in part, the ability to conduct air transport operations to locations where there are no existing runways, and where engineers cannot be prepositioned. One of the most difficult problems is locating large, smooth, flat, and obstruction-free areas that are also sufficiently firm to support at least one aircraft operation, and preferably, many. The opportune landing site (OLS) program utilized existing technologies to rapidly accelerate the process of selecting OLSs using remote sensing technology and state-of-the-ground forecast tools. To evaluate the quality of the OLSs identified, ground truth activities were conducted at four field locations. Two of these sites, described in this report, were located in rural, actively farmed areas in southeastern Indiana. Field measurements were made during four seasons to assess the smoothness, flatness, freedom from obstructions, and, most importantly, the soil strength. The procedures and tools used to assess the candidate OLSs were, to the extent practical, based on established practice for evaluating paved and contingency airfields. The results from the Indiana field activities and the success of the procedures used in assessing the suitability of the OLSs are presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494397
Entities
People
- Charles C. Ryerson
- Lynette A. Barna
- Rosa T. Affleck
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center