Suitability Measurement and Analysis for Fort Bliss Naval Air Facility OLS. Opportune Landing Site Program

Abstract

Abstract:The Army relies on agility and speed, including the ability to conduct air transport operations where no runways exist, and where engineers cannot be pre-positioned. One of the most difficult problems is locating large, smooth, flat, and obstruction-free areas that are sufficiently firm to support at least one aircraft operation, and preferably many. The Opportune Landing Site (OLS) program demonstrated the use of remote sensing technology and state-of-the-ground forecast tools to accelerate the process of selecting OLSs. To evaluate the quality of the selected OLSs, ground truth measurements were conducted at Fort Bliss in New Mexico. Before conducting field measurements, several sites identified by OLS software were visually inspected to evaluate and select a suitable OLS for field testing. Evaluation procedures were based on Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency (AFCESA) recommendations for evaluating airfield pavements. Soil strength and moisture measurements were made at several locations along the OLS, and overall quality was evaluated during three seasons. Assessment software was able to predict an OLS adequate for landing a C-130, but not capable for a C-17. This was true for all three field assessments at Fort Bliss.