Terrain-Following Flights

In the context of aerospace engineering, terrain-following flights refer to a type of flight in which an aircraft maintains a constant altitude above ground level (AGL) by automatically adjusting its altitude in response to changes in the terrain below. This is achieved through the use of advanced avionics systems, including radar altimeters and terrain databases, which provide real-time information about the terrain below the aircraft. The primary purpose of terrain-following flights is to avoid detection by enemy radar systems by flying at low altitudes, often in hilly or mountainous terrain. This type of flight is commonly used in military operations, particularly for aircraft involved in ground-attack missions. However, it also poses significant challenges in terms of flight safety, as the aircraft must be able to quickly and accurately respond to changes in the terrain to avoid collisions. Therefore, terrain-following flights require sophisticated flight control systems and skilled pilots to execute safely.