Germany develops laser detection technology to make clear air turbulence visible

Do you often experience this when you fly? The sky was cloudless, and the plane was cruising calmly in the air, but suddenly encountered a turbulent flow, as if it had suddenly fallen into a hole. This phenomenon is clear air turbulence. The German Aerospace Center is working on a detection device that could visualize turbulence in the clear sky. Clear sky turbulence is a kind of turbulence that is separated from the cloud layer. Under the existing technology, clear sky turbulence is very hidden and difficult to predict. Strong clear-air turbulence may also cause injury to personnel safety or aircraft structures. Based on the research results of the Laser Detection of Clear Air Turbulence Validation Program (DELICAT), the German Aerospace Center is currently testing a clear-air turbulence detection device. The test will continue until the end of August. predict. Affected by the wind, there is a speed difference between different air layers, and the dragging between the air layers is easy to produce turbulence. Researchers at the German Aerospace Center therefore used a laser detection device to measure atmospheric data to predict turbulence. They installed the detection device on an aircraft, and the device emits short-wave ultraviolet laser signals in the direction of flight. By detecting the echo signals, researchers can obtain information about changes in air density, thereby making clear air turbulence visible. The researchers are currently using a modified Cessna Citation to test the system, with test flights scheduled to begin in Amsterdam to cities across Europe. Once the test is successful, the researchers will not only be able to predict clear-air turbulence, but also gain a deeper understanding of how clear-air turbulence occurs. The long-term goal of the program is to develop an integrated detection system that helps pilots predict clear-air turbulence to warn passengers ahead of time or fly around. It is understood that the laser detection of clear air turbulence verification program is supported by the European Union. The program was launched in 2009 and will continue until March 2014. A total of 12 partners from 7 EU countries participated in the plan.