Listening to Wake Vortices.

The article reports that a U.S. government and contractor team is developing a novel wake-vortex detection system employing laser beams that listen to the acoustic signals generated primarily by aircraft wingtip vortices. As now envisioned, such an integrated Wake Vortex Avoidance System would cut airport delays significantly, translating to an economic benefit of up to $130 million at San Francisco International Airport and $129 million at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.