Lockheed Martin Corporation
System and Method for Determining the Real-Time Effect of Ice Accumulation on Aircraft Surfaces on Angle of Attack During Flight

Abstract:

A system includes a plurality of sensors along a surface of an airfoil operable to measure a first set of ice thickness values at a first time and a second set of ice thickness values at a second time. The system further includes a processor configured to determine a first plurality of lift calculation variables and a second plurality of lift calculation variables. The processor also generates a threshold angle of attack value and updates the threshold angle of attack value at the second time, based on one or more differences between the first and second sets of ice thickness values and the first and second plurality of lift calculation variables. The processor is further configured to send, to a display, based on the updated threshold angle of attack, one or more changes to flight data to adjust the actual angle of attack of the airfoil.