Development of a Microwave Radiometer for Aviation Safety Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Topic No.: N142-101 Topic Title: Development of a Microwave Radiometer for Aviation Safety Proposal No.: N142-101-0151 Firm: Boulder Environmental Sciences and Technology 5171 Eldorado Springs Drive Suite A Boulder, Colorado 80303-9672 Contact: Marian Klein Phone: (303) 800-6210 Web Site: www.boulderest.com Abstract: This SBIR Phase I project proposes the design and prototype development of a compact microwave radiometer to be used as a remote sensor of inflight icing hazards, and will be capable of detecting and evaluating icing conditions in an aircraft's flight path. Boulder Environmental Sciences and Technology will design a sensor that could be used on a number of different aircraft, will be reliable, robust, require minimal maintenance, and will be small and inexpensive. The Microwave Radiometer for Aviation Safety (MRAS) will provide data on air temperature and water vapor profiles as well as cloud liquid water content. It will be designed to distinguish between the phases of cloud particles (water/ice) ahead of the aircraft and issue an appropriate warning to the cockpit. We propose to design a very compact, practical instrument that will require minimal user attention, and will potentially utilize data from other available sources to improve hazard detection and to quantify hazard levels. Phase I project is focused on modeling and simulation of MRAS detection sensitivity in realistic atmospheric conditions, development of suitable hardware requiring minimal space, weight, power and cooling, preliminary design of a software algorithm and three dimensional preliminary mechanical design. Benefits: The major benefit of a sensor capable of remotely detecting and quantifying icing hazards is increased military readiness and air superiority. It also has the potential to improve aviation safety and efficiency. The market for the MRAS lies within military, general aviation market, cloud research community, with possible follow on markets within offshore oil rigs and wind power plants operators, the coast guard and other emergency and mission critical aviation services. The aircraft classes that can mostly benefit from the MRAS observations are turbo-propellers and helicopters, since jet aircraft generally fly above dangerous clouds and are susceptible to icing only during take-off and landing. h Return