We believe that SOCRATES™ may be adapted for use in a number of commercial applications that, collectively, will improve the safety of aircraft and passengers on runways, near airports and in flight. These systems will require additional R&D and testing and we view them as long-term developments.
Airport Area Weather Hazard Surveillance System
Airport surveillance system to detect weather hazards within a 10-mile radius
- SOCRATES™ will be developed and adapted to detect microbursts, wind shear and clear-air turbulence within a 10-mile surveillance umbrella.
- Further research will be conducted on product development and testing.
Airborne En-route Weather Hazard Warning System
Airborne warning system to warn pilots of weather hazards during flight
- We will consider adapting SOCRATES™ technology for an aircraft-installed system that will detect dangerous air turbulence during flight.
- For development, we intend to study ways to use naturally-occurring airborne particles (present in all weather conditions) as reflectors for SOCRATES™ lasers. Models and computer software will be developed to interpret return signals, as well as pilot-friendly cockpit display symbology.
