Recent Advances in Indirect Lightning Effects Research

Lightning effects research being conducted by the Electromagnetic Hazards Group of the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory has resulted in a number of recent advances that enhance the ability to de­ termine the susceptibility of aircraft to the natural lightning hazard. These advances affect the ability to define the probable lightning attachment points, the probability of attachment, the characteristics of electrical transients on the aircraft structure and electrical circuits, and the spatial and physical mechanisms associated with the electrical transients. The advances have been in both the analysis and test­ ing areas of lightning effects research. However, it is the improved testing and data processing equip­ ment and procedures that have resulted in the ability to use more advanced analysis methods which, in turn, permit the development of more meaningful experiments that yield more useful and accurate results.