This is a brief review of weather modification techniques integral
able with UAS. Axisa and DeFelice (2016) who
presented a recent article titled “Modern and prospective technologies for
weather modification activities: A look at integrating unmanned aircraft
systems”
The review is based on
the work of
One of the popular weather modification techniques is cloud
seeding, which aims towards harvesting of cloud rain content over where rainfall
is preferable.
The utilization of UASs in weather modification techniques allows
a more precise and updated measurement of the atmosphere, which results in an increased
efficiency in applying the weather modification techniques. Seeding techniques become efficient when
applied properly according to real-time updates of the cloud state. Conducting weather modification operations
falls under the dull, dirty, and dangerous popular association of mission characteristics
to UASs. Compared to manned missions,
UASs have the following advantages: Ability to work in remote locations and
locations in the vicinity of challenging terrain for elongated periods of time,
and improved data acquisition about the cloud state.
An UAS for weather modification will consist of a sensory
payload to perform atmospheric measurements and seeding equipment. Small UAS, in the scale of 10’s of Kgs, are
capable of performing sensory measurements, however, larger UAS, in the scale
of 100’s ok Kgs, with a heavier payload allowance are required to perform the
seeding part.
References
- Axisa, D., & DeFelice, T. P. (2016). Modern and prospective technologies for weather modification activities: A look at integrating unmanned aircraft systems. Atmospheric Research, 178-179, 114-124. doi:10.1016/j.atmosres.2016.03.005
