Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an aircraft approaching an airfield runway of an airfield is provided. The apparatus obtains a current pose estimate of the aircraft relative to the airfield runway and determines, based on the current pose estimate of the aircraft, a plurality of proximate poses of the aircraft. The apparatus generates a plurality of images of the airfield runway from a plurality of expected points-of-view of the aircraft and acquires a real-time image of the airfield runway. The apparatus performs a comparison of the real-time image and the plurality of images to identify a best-match image from the plurality of images and generates, based on the best-match image, an updated current pose estimate of the aircraft. The apparatus outputs the updated current pose estimate to a flight control computer of the aircraft, for use in guidance of the aircraft on a final approach.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a camera on a refueling aircraft to obtain an image of a receiver aircraft having a receptacle for refueling the receiver aircraft. The system also includes a processor on the refueling aircraft to determine an orientation and position of the receiver aircraft relative to the camera, a separation distance and respective positions of a refueling boom of the refueling aircraft and the receptacle. The processor also generates a display of a side perspective view of 3D models of the refueling boom and the receiver aircraft having the receptacle. The display of the side perspective view illustrates a current position of the refueling boom relative to a current position of the receptacle and enables an operator on the refueling aircraft to observe and guide the refueling boom to the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an aircraft approaching an airfield runway of an airfield is provided. The apparatus obtains a current pose estimate of the aircraft relative to the airfield runway and determines, based on the current pose estimate of the aircraft, a plurality of proximate poses of the aircraft. The apparatus generates a plurality of images of the airfield runway from a plurality of expected points-of-view of the aircraft and acquires a real-time image of the airfield runway. The apparatus performs a comparison of the real-time image and the plurality of images to identify a best-match image from the plurality of images and generates, based on the best-match image, an updated current pose estimate of the aircraft. The apparatus outputs the updated current pose estimate to a flight control computer of the aircraft, for use in guidance of the aircraft on a final approach.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a camera on a refueling aircraft to obtain an image of a receiver aircraft having a receptacle for refueling the receiver aircraft. The system also includes a processor on the refueling aircraft to determine an orientation and position of the receiver aircraft relative to the camera, a separation distance and respective positions of a refueling boom of the refueling aircraft and the receptacle. The processor also generates a display of a side perspective view of 3D models of the refueling boom and the receiver aircraft having the receptacle. The display of the side perspective view illustrates a current position of the refueling boom relative to a current position of the receptacle and enables an operator on the refueling aircraft to observe and guide the refueling boom to the receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing undesired features in an image. The image is converted from a spatial domain to a frequency domain to form a transformed image. A filter is applied to the transformed image to form a filtered image in the frequency domain. The filtered image is converted from the frequency domain back into the spatial domain to form a modified image. An intensity of an undesired feature in the modified image is increased as compared to the intensity of the undesired feature in the image. The undesired feature is removed from the image using the modified image to form a processed image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing undesired features in an image. The image is converted from a spatial domain to a frequency domain to form a transformed image. A filter is applied to the transformed image to form a filtered image in the frequency domain. The filtered image is converted from the frequency domain back into the spatial domain to form a modified image. An intensity of an undesired feature in the modified image is increased as compared to the intensity of the undesired feature in the image. The undesired feature is removed from the image using the modified image to form a processed image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining information about an environment having objects located around a vehicle. The laser detection and ranging system comprises a fan beam generation unit, a streak unit, a telescope, a switch, and a detector unit. The fan beam generation unit transmits a fan beam. The streak unit streaks a received beam generated in response to the fan beam to form a streaked beam. The telescope propagates the fan beam to a portion of the environment around the vehicle. The switch directs the fan beam generated by the fan beam generation unit through the telescope along an azimuth onto the environment around the vehicle and directing a response signal to the fan beam to the streak unit. The detector unit detects the streaked beam and generating range and angle data to generate an image of the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining information about an environment having objects located around a vehicle. The laser detection and ranging system comprises a fan beam generation unit, a streak unit, a telescope, a switch, and a detector unit. The fan beam generation unit transmits a fan beam. The streak unit streaks a received beam generated in response to the fan beam to form a streaked beam. The telescope propagates the fan beam to a portion of the environment around the vehicle. The switch directs the fan beam generated by the fan beam generation unit through the telescope along an azimuth onto the environment around the vehicle and directing a response signal to the fan beam to the streak unit. The detector unit detects the streaked beam and generating range and angle data to generate an image of the environment.