Integrated blade tip lighting system for rotorcraft Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Topic No.: N102-168 Topic Title: Integrated blade tip lighting system for rotorcraft Proposal No.: N102-168-0595 Firm: EMTEQ 5349 S Emmer Drive New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151 Contact: Brian Brandt Phone: (262) 679-2736 Web Site: www.emteq.com Abstract: The Modulated Rotor Tip Light (MRTL) system provides greatly enhanced visibility because blade tip light paths appear very large, intensity and narrow field of view LED optics are used and lateral separation between red and green lights can be as much as five times larger than the fuselage width. EMTEQ's state-of-the art, high intensity LED light engines and avionics expertise are used to develop an MRTL system using wireless communication between a rotor shaft sensor, a cockpit Controller and multiple rotor blade tip light assemblies to control multiple tip cap LED's. Rapid switching at appropriate times can meet requirements for position lights such as coverage, light intensity distribution and overlap. We will implement the Navy's vision and demonstrate MRTL feasibility by designing, building, testing and demonstrating functional hardware in Phase I. As a premier aircraft lighting suppler, we have produced and support more than 18,000 aircraft exterior lighting units used on more than 30 aircraft models, both rotary and fixed wing. Benefits: MRTL systems are of great interest in both military and civilian rotorcraft to enhance safety. Military operations often call for night formation flights, either in civilian airspace or covert operations, where other-aircraft position is critical for safe operations. MRTL can also be adapted to provide enhanced blade tip path lighting to alert ground crews and pilots of the blade disc location. This is important both for military operations, which often feature low level hover in unprepared and confined locations, and to civilian operators such as search and rescue, police and EMS. The US military operates more than 7,000 rotorcraft and the worldwide fleet approaches 30,000 aircraft, and a large number of aircraft can consider MRTL adoption. Return