A passive millimeter wave camera for landing under low visibility conditions

Passive millimeter wave (PMMW) focal plane array cameras are new sensors capable of imaging the forward scene under fog and low-visibility conditions at video frame rates. PMMW imaging sensors measure the blackbody radiation naturally emitted from the imaged scene. These cameras promise to be an effective aid, or an alternative, to existing technology for aircraft landing and surface operations under Category Ill weather conditions. The impact of this technology on air traffic can be significant in terms of reducing weather-related accidents and delays as well as affecting the economics of airlines, parcel carriers and general aviation. The authors discuss the system engineering necessary to validate the mission´s operational requirements. The associated hardware development work is outlined. The suitability of PMMW cameras to future enhanced and synthetic vision systems is considered