This proposal is for development of an affordable aircraft lightning detection system capable of locating intracloud (IC) as well as cloud- to-ground (CG) lightning. This will make available to General Aviation aircraft information similar to, easier to interpret, and more relevant to hazardous weather than what has been available to larger aircraft with radar. The proposal responds to NASA's need to assist "pilot decision making" by providing weather information to aircraft utilizing "glass cockpit" avionics. IC lightning provides storm intensity, updraft locations and microburst prediction. Sensitivity to the first small discharges in growing convective cells furnishes the earliest warning of developing thunderstorms. Prior VLF systems detect the strong CG return strokes and can not reliably detect and locate cloud flashes. A modern graphical display will include capability for overlaying lightning information on radar patterns for the most complete pictorial depiction of weather currently possible. When lightning data is available in a region from one or more aircraft with ATLM, other aircraft will not need their own lightning detection equipment, only a multipurpose display and means of receiving uplinked lightning data would be required. The new system will be called the ATLM for AIRCRAFT TOTAL LIGHTNING MAPPER.
Potential Commercial Applications: The proposed ATLM System would have a potential market of 100,000 General Aviation aircraft. Because IC lightning measurements can be used diagnostically to evaluate storm intensity and all hazardous thunderstorm conditions, it also should be desired by commercial airlines including the commuter element. Airport operations (e.g., fueling) and air traffic control also would be potential customers.
