Heating prognostics system for ice protection system

A method of monitoring an ice protection system of a rotorcraft or an aircraft, the method comprising:

• sensing a liquid water content of air outside of the rotorcraft or the aircraft;
• sensing an outside air temperature;
• sensing a voltage of the ice protection system;
• determining a heater duty cycle based on the sensed liquid water content and the sensed outside air temperature;
• applying heat to rotating blades of the rotorcraft or the aircraft according to the heater duty cycle;
• determining an anticipated ice shed time for ice to shed from the rotating blades based on the sensed voltage and the sensed outside air temperature;
• sensing a torque of the rotating blades;
• determining an actual ice shed time for ice to shed from the rotating blades based on the sensed torque;
• determining a status of the ice protection system based on the anticipated ice shed time and the actual ice shed time;
• and
• outputting the status of the ice protection system for consumption by a consuming system.