Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Norden Systems, Inc.

Richard A Fitts

David W Zack

John Chapkovich

An InfraRed Suppression System (IRSS) vectors engine exhaust flow away from the exhaust manifold plane, the high aspect ratio exhaust duct defined as a ratio of a maximum nozzle length to a maximum nozzle width, the ratio greater than 2:1.

Infrared suppression system

An InfraRed Suppression System includes a high aspect ratio exhaust duct which vectors a high temperature engine exhaust flow.

A communication system is provided for identifying the position of aircraft in a surveillance area. The communication system includes a dual-frequency interrogator which produces two signals at different frequencies. These signals are transmitted over a narrow beam, scanning antenna, the antenna being located within the surveillance area. A transponder is provided on the aircraft with an auxiliary antenna assembly tuned to a frequency equivalent to the difference between the dual frequencies. The transponder produces a signal containing aircraft identification information. A processing unit is co-located on the aircraft with the transponder to receive the two signals transmitted by the interrogator and produce a signal equivalent to the difference between those signals. The difference signal produced by the processing unit is coupled with the transponder and is used to identify the position of aircraft on the ground. A stationary antenna and receiver are tuned to the frequency of the transponder response and receive the transponder response. The stationary receiver transmits information to a position-estimating computer regarding the time of arrival of the aircraft signal. The position-estimating computer also receives information from the interrogator regarding the time of interrogation and the position of the antenna at the interrogation time. The position-estimating computer processes this information to identify the position of the aircraft on the airport surface.

Secondary surveillance radar interrogation system using dual frequencies

An airport vehicle identification system for improving airport traffic management and collision avoidance, includes a ground surveillance radar and a plurality of low power frequency translators located in spaced relationship about the surface of the airport. The radar system transmits a conventional radar signal for target detection and a beacon interrogation signal for target detection. Each translator is designed to bandshift the interrogation signal to a frequency value compatible with the vehicle transponder, and transmit the bandshifted interrogation signal to the vehicle transponder. Each frequency translator is bi-directional and receives a transponder reply signal indicative of vehicle identity and bandshifts the reply signal to a frequency value compatible with the ground surveillance radar and transmits the bandshifted reply signal to the ground radar. This invention fills the critical void in airport traffic control of providing ground controllers with electronic airport ground surveillance data which includes both vehicle position and identity.

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Monroe, CT, United States of America

Richard A Fitts