External installations for remote sensing systems and radar systems
Many Israeli and global companies that develop remote sensing systems are required to perform a flying of the systems upon manned aircraft to prove capabilities and complete the procedures of commercial licensing. Remote sensor systems come in two major types – systems with a passive sensor, and systems with an active sensor. An active sensor emits radiation in the direction of the studied target. Later on, the sensor detects and measures the radiation reflected back from the target. Passive sensors, in contrast, detect natural energy (radiation) which is emitted or reflected by the object or visible scene. Reflected sunlight is the most common source of radiation measured by passive sensors.
Many of the desired installation configurations protrude from the plane’s faring, and so require a proper procedure of planning, manufacturing, installing and licensing to get to the stage of operational flight.
LIFEAIR has long experience in managing and leading such procedures, and provides its clients with all of the tools needed to start and finish the different flying stages of system development.
Installation configurations in experimental flights:
- Underbelly installations: Systems which protrude from the aircraft’s faring and are installed on the plane’s underbelly or under a hatch in the underbelly designated for holding airborne systems.
- Nose installations: Systems which are installed on the plane’s nose in planes which aren’t one-engine.
- Side installations: Systems which are installed on the sides of aircraft.
Engineering design and integration
The need in professional engineering design at the stage of integrating between the airborne system and the aircraft comes from the level of accuracy required to maintain the safety of the craft, airborne system and flight crew.
Often, engineering design is needed to manufacture adaptors between the airborne systems and the aircraft and providing professional reports which prove the quality and capability of the adaptor.
LIFEAIR operates and works in collaboration with a number of engineering design companies which have wide experience in manufacturing, installing and licensing airborne systems. The purpose of this collaboration is to give the client full coverage for all of their needs, from the conceptual flight idea stage to the actual operational flying of the system.
LIFEAIR leads, manages and supervises all stages of professional engineering design, including system requirement review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR) before manufacturing, and of course, the installation of the system and the completion of its licensing in the aircraft. All this, according to the client’s required timetables.