Design and implementation of TAWS for rotary wing aircraft

The Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) and Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS), developed at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Patuxent River, is currently fielded on the F/A-18A/B/C/D/E/F/G, AV-8B, being flight tested on the T-45, and E-2D fixed-wing aircraft, and ready for deployment on the MH-60R/S rotary-wing aircraft. GPWS/TAWS is a proven survivability safety-backup system that warns the aircrew of an impending Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) condition. The fixed-wing system has demonstrated its value with four documented aircraft saves over the past 10 years. There is a demand for an equivalent protection system among the rotary wing community. The following details unique aspects of a TAWS design that has been developed and implemented for use on rotary-wing aircraft to fulfill this need.