Drucella Andersen

Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

September 17, 1993
(Phone: 202/358-4727)

Don Haley
Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, Calif.
(Phone: 805/258-3456)

RELEASE: 93-163

NASA TESTS NEW LASER AIR DATA SYSTEM ON SR-71 BLACKBIRD

A NASA SR-71 "Blackbird" research aircraft today made the

first triple-sonic flight test of a laser measurement system that
could give pilots more accurate data on their air speed and
aircraft attitude.

The Optical Air Data System focused laser light beams several
feet away from the side of the SR-71 as it flew at more than three
times the speed of sound. As microscopic particles passed between
the beams in undisturbed air, the system measured their direction
and speed and turned that information into standard air speed and
attitude data.

"Because the system doesn't use tubes or openings that can

disturb the airflow, we expect it to be more accurate than current
systems," said Dave Lux, SR-71 Project Manager at NASA's
Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, Calif., where the
flight took place. "It could apply to both civilian and military
aircraft flying at high speeds."

Air data systems give pilots speed information and attitude

references such as angle of attack (up and down) and sideslip
(side to side). Current systems use small tubes and vanes that
extend into the air stream or tubes that have openings flush with
the aircraft's outer skin.

But external tubing disturbs air flow over the aircraft,

compromising the data. Both external and flush openings must be
cleaned frequently of insects and debris or they cannot collect
accurate data.

In contrast, the NASA SR-71 laser system is installed

internally, so it does not affect the airstream. The system
projects laser beams through a small side window in the forward
part of the aircraft and does not require any external
maintenance.
-more-
- 2 -
 Up to six flights are planned in the current test schedule.
The SR-71 will evaluate the Optical Air Data System at a maximum
speed of 2200 mph (3540 kilometers per hour) at altitudes of about
85,000 feet (25,908 meters.).

NASA successfully tested the laser system at Dryden 2 years

ago at speeds up to 1300 mph (2092 kilometers per hour) and at
altitudes up to 65,000 feet (19,812 meters) on a NASA F-104
research aircraft.

NASA is doing the laser air speed system study for the
Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency.
- end -

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos are available to media representatives to

illustrate this release by calling the Ames-Dryden Public Affairs
Office, 805/258-3456.