Laser Radar System Detects Wind Hazards, Improving Takeoff and Landing
Safety
FARNBOROUGH, England, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) announced the Hong Kong Observatory has purchased a second
WindTracer(R) Doppler lidar system which will be used at the Hong Kong
International Airport. Developed and produced by Lockheed Martin Coherent
Technologies, WindTracer provides air traffic control personnel with
advanced warning of wind hazards such as wind shear, microbursts, gust
fronts, turbulence and crosswinds which enables them to offer precise,
timely direction to pilots during takeoff and landing.
The lidar system uses an eye-safe laser with precision pointing and
scanning capabilities to reflect off aerosols 100 times smaller than the
width of a human hair, collecting wind data over a broad volumetric area.
The first WindTracer at Hong Kong International Airport was installed in
2002.
Using the WindTracer, the Hong Kong Observatory has developed the
world's first Lidar Windshear Alerting System (LIWAS). This system has been
operating at the Hong Kong International Airport since end of 2005,
continuously scanning approach and departure corridors, providing
minute-to-minute warnings to aircraft landing and taking off at the
airport.
"The Observatory is a pioneer in the deployment of laser-based remote
sensing technology for airport wind shear alerting systems," said Wai
Hon-gor, assistant director of the Hong Kong Observatory. "WindTracer
combined with a Terminal Doppler Weather Radar gives the airport a
comprehensive picture of wind hazards. Adding the lidar to our program has
increased the detection rate of wind shear to more than 90 percent."
"The Hong Kong Observatory is well respected for making aviation safety
a priority," said Dr. Stephen Hannon, Products Group director for Lockheed
Martin Coherent Technologies. "The first WindTracer we installed has truly
proven itself and has become an integral part of its meteorological
monitoring program. This second system will further enhance a robust
system. Terminal Doppler Weather Radar is an effective technology for
detecting wind events during a storm, but in clear weather its detection
rate drops substantially. Laser radar, on the other hand, is ideal for
clear air. And combining the two gives you the best of both worlds."
The Hong Kong Observatory is a department of the government of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region, and is one of the world's leading
meteorological organizations. It forecasts weather and issues warnings on
weather-related hazards at the airport and within a designated airspace
over the northern part of the South China Sea.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000
people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design,
development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced
technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005
sales of $37.2 billion.
NOTE TO EDITORS: for a low- and high-resolution JPEG image of a
WindTracer, please visit our WindTracer web page at:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/windtracer.
Media Contact: Gary Napier, (303) 971-4012; gary.p.napier@lmco.com
For additional information, visit our website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
SOURCE Lockheed Martin
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Related links:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
CONTACT:
Gary Napier of Lockheed Martin,
+1-303-971-4012, or gary.p.napier@lmco.com
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