Smart Weather InstruMentS (SWIMS)

The US Department of the Navy (DoN) is developing ocean environment sampling systems, which can operate autonomously for a long period of time sending real-time in-situ data without the help of an expensive dedicated ship. Ocean sampling systems should be able to measure environmental parameters such as, pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction at the air-sea boundary layer for accurate weather forecasts and climate predictions. We propose Smart Weather InstruMentS (SWIMS) system to measure environmental parameters at the ocean surface as well as in the stable atmospheric layer at the air-sea interface. SWIMS is an autonomous mobile surface buoy and tethered blimp for atmospheric measurements. A novel wave generated jet propulsion system propels the SWIMS buoy system. An automated winch system inside the surface buoy will deploy the airborne meteorological sensor platform. We will transmit all the geo-registered meteorological data to a ground station via a satellite communication link. SWIMS uses a Behavior based autonomy software architecture onboard the surface buoy platform. We will use re-chargeable batteries with the help of solar panels to power the system for a long period of time.