Avionics
BAE Develops Laser Air Speed Sensor
The Laser Air Speed Sensing Instrument (LASSI) is on display at Farnborough Airshow.

BAE Systems is exhibiting its new Laser Air Speed Sensing Instrument (LASSI) on its display here at the Farnborough Airshow (in Outdoor Exhibit 11). The device, which was created by British scientists in Chelmsford, UK, is designed to measure velocity in high altitude aircraft. According to BAE, LASSI can improve performance and fuel efficiency.

Airspeed is generally determined by using pitot tubes located on the outside of the aircraft that sense differences in air pressure, which is directly related to speed. However, this new device bounces ultraviolet laser light off air molecules and measures the change in color of reflections caused by the Doppler effect.