Next-Generation Marine Atmosphere Observing Instrumentation

In day-to-day military and commercial operations, obtaining high fidelity METOC observations of the operational space for forecast systems is difficult. One must dedicate sensors and collection resources, and the communications to convey the information to introduction into the METOC forecast system. Obtaining these METOC observations in data sparse and denied operational areas (OPAREAs) for the forecast system is very difficult, because the applications of all the resources in the operation area are optimized and deployed for accomplishment of the primary mission. Although supporting operations such as collection of METOC data can be important to the success of the mission, adding resources to uniquely collect METOC data is often prohibitive. We will exploit the METOC data observing capability of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) used on the battlefield, and those soon to be used in small commercial markets. From the UAS’ autopilot, quantifiable low-level/boundary layer METOC data (wind, temperature, and pressure) are available, and the derived METOC information (turbulence, visibility, wave heights, area surface thermal characteristics, and cloud types and amount) are also available and ready to be exploited.