MICROWAVE LANDING

SYSTEM
MLS
ILS REPLACEMENT?
MLS is an improvement on the ILS approach
system.
It was developed extensively with the thought that
the US would run out of ILS channels. (40
channels only)
The advent of the GPS along with the high cost of
MLS has insured it will never become a
mainstream system.
ILS will last until GPS VNAV systems take over as
the primary precision approach system.
There are MLS installations in Europe and the US.
INSTALLATION
Azimuth transmitter at far end of runway.
Elevation transmitter at near end of runway.
Narrow beams sweep across coverage area at a fixed
scan rate.
Aircraft receiver measures the time interval between
sweeps and calculates azimuth and altitude.
Horizontal and lateral navigation information is displayed
on the aircraft CDI, HSI, or MFD. (similar to ILS)
A precision DME/P installation is incorporated into the
system.
All signals (except DME) are sent on a single frequency
using time sharing. (each type of signal is sent in a specific
order one after the other in quick succession; azimuth,
elevation, data.)
FIVE FUNCTIONS
Approach azimuth: precise horizontal guidance.
Back azimuth: horizontal guidance for missed
approach.
Approach elevation: precise vertical guidance.
Slant range: DME/P, precision DME accurate to
100ft. (computer compensated slant-range)
Data communication: waypoint coordinates,
weather conditions, runway conditions, equipment
status.
ADVANTAGES
Reliability: freedom from FM radio and terrain interference.
(allows for more versatile site selection.)
Flexibility:
Availability of multiple flight paths approaching the same runway.
Lateral guidance can vary as much as 60 either side of centerline
with range to 20nm.
Vertical guidance from 0.9 to 15 (helicopters).
Potential for curved and segmented approaches.
Data transfer capability.
MMLS (mobile MLS) portable deployment for military applications.
Capability of providing precision guidance to small landing areas
like rooftop helipads, or aircraft carriers. (ground based equipment
takes up less space.)
DISADVANTAGES
Expensive: the initial expense of infrastructure set-
up and aircraft equipment installation.
New alternatives: GNSS is emerging as the
mainstream RNAV system for civil aviation. Its
potential for non-precision and precision approach
capability has been proven. With market forces
driving GPS usage it is destined to be the system
of the future.
MLS will be limited to specialized applications,
such as military MMLS.