NASA’s Langley Research Center issued a small business innovation research (SBIR) contract to Michigan Aerospace Corp. (MAC) for production of an optical air data system that can detect conditions aloft when ice is likely to form.
Under the contract, NASA is requesting MAC to extend its current ultraviolet-based (UV) optical air-data technology to begin detecting conditions for when ice is likely to begin forming on the wings and other critical aircraft components while in flight. Parameters for the new system include providing an "all-optical ability to detect icing conditions," enabling pilots to make real-time decisions about activating de-icing systems.