CONTRAIL DETECTION, DISCRIMINATION, AND CONTROL

A system includes a first sensor (102) positioned to sense presence of a contrail in a first volume (104), wherein the first volume at least partially overlaps an expected volume of a contrail (106) proximate an aircraft. A second sensor (108) is positioned to sense a background reference in a second volume (110), where the second volume (110) does not overlap the expected volume of a contrail (106) proximate an aircraft. A controller (118) is operatively connected to the first and second sensors (102, 108). The controller (118) includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller (118) to utilize data input from both the first and second volumes (104, 110) to determine if a contrail is present from the aircraft. A system includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller (118) to predict persistence of contrails on an intended route through the volume of airspace and to determine an improved route and/or propulsion operation to reduce contrail formation and persistence relative to the intended route.