"ONR, meanwhile, plans a further evaluation of the Landsafe system under development by Rockwell Collins and Optical Air Data Systems. This uses eye-safe fiber-optic lasers to both sense the ground in brownout conditions and provide accurate air data down to zero airspeed-a capability helicopters lack."
"Leishman will lead a MURI research grant to study rotorcraft brownout—a phenomenon that can cause hazardous conditions during helicopter take-off and landing in dry, desert terrain. Brownout causes a significant risk for pilots flying close to the ground, as blinding dust is stirred up by the rotor downwash, causing the pilot to lose visibility."
