Next-Generation Marine Atmosphere Observing Instrumentation

NAVAIR Maritime Aircraft programs have a need to measure and predict winds and temperature in the atmosphere and currents and temperatures in the ocean to perform the ASW mission from high altitude. Current in-situ atmospheric observing systems and on-board modeling aids are insufficient for providing the necessary inputs to high-resolution and tactically relevant, operation area decisions regarding the accurate placement of sonobuoy from high altitude. In this Phase II SBIR effort we will develop, build, and test a prototype small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) which will be capable of autonomously collecting flight level wind and weather data and assimilate the data into a visualization of the weather in the immediate flight area and into an established high fidelity meteorological model for an analysis and short range forecasts of the operations area. This information will support the flight crew and for on-coming flight crews. The UAS will be known as the Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) UAS. The METOC UAS will directly support the NAVAIR P-3/P-8 ASW programs and operations, and indirectly support the atmospheric science and technology efforts of the US Navy, Department of Defense, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).