The
current weather services predict weather based on observations from various sources
like a network of ground stations, balloon launches, weather radars, and
weather satellites. These sources suffer
from restrictions. For instance, weather radars and ground stations are limited
to their locale (UAS Weather Project, 2016).
UAS
utilization in weather prediction is characterized by its mobility and ability
to track weather systems and weather phenomena.
Due to its inherent ability to operate for elongated periods, UAS can
track the development of weather systems from the time of inception until
dissipation. UAS are especially useful
in penetrating hazardous phenomena like tornados and thunderstorms (Cox, Nagy,
Skoog & Somers, 2004).
The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NAOO) started to utilize UAS
as early as 2005. One of its systems is predicated
on the Global Hawk. The unique ability
of the Global Hawk to operate continuously at very high altitudes makes it a
crucial asset in surveillance operations targeting hurricanes and
thunderstorms. The system will provide
accurate hurricane predictions over longer periods (Reese,
2014).
Another system is the Pilatus. It is lightweight and targeted for arctic regions. The main purpose is the detection of
greenhouse gases and generally examining the atmosphere in the polar area (de Boer et al., 2016).
The weather tracking applications utilizing UAS
are somewhat restricted by the current regulations and the lack of ability to
operate in all areas of the NAS. There are
also technological challenges to the niche.
Most of the projects are experimental in nature and involve deferent
sets of sensors, target specific data collection, and involve different project
development schemes (Axisa & DeFelice, 2016).
References
Axisa, D. & DeFelice, T.
(2016). Modern and prospective technologies for weather modification
activities: A look at integrating unmanned aircraft systems. Atmospheric
Research, 178-179, 114-124.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2016.03.005
Cox T., Nagy C., Skoog M., Somers I. (2004). Civil UAV
Capability Assessment. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/pdf/111761main_UAV_Capabilities_Assessment.pdf
Hurricane-Proof
Drones Are the Storm Chasers of Tomorrow - D-brief. (2014).D-brief. Retrieved 2
May 2016, from
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2014/09/08/future-hurricane-drones/#.Vyag9zB97Dd
de Boer, G., Palo, S., Argrow, B., LoDolce, G.,
Mack, J., & Gao, R. et al. (2016). The Pilatus unmanned aircraft system
for lower atmospheric research. Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9(4),
1845-1857. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-1845-2016
NASA
Armstrong Fact Sheet: Ikhana Predator B. (2016). NASA.
Retrieved 2 May 2016, from
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-097-DFRC.html
OSU selected by NSF for UAS Weather Project | Unmanned
Aircraft Systems. (2016). Unmanned.okstate.edu.
Retrieved from https://unmanned.okstate.edu/node/77
Reese, A. (2014). Hurricane-Proof Drones Are the Storm
Chasers of Tomorrow. Discover. Retrieved from
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2014/09/08/future-hurricane-drones/#.VyahxjB97De
Laith, great idea for a UAS mission. This platform would combine some of the endurance of a balloon, with the mobility of an aircraft. One of the phenomena I think would most benefit from this would be tornados, since the precise location of one is usually difficult to predict and pre-position sensors near.
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