Micro Air-launched Expendable Meteorological Sonde (MAXMS) with Selective Availability Anti Spoofing Module (SAASM)-compatible GPS

Phase I research was conducted to prove the feasibility of developing a Micro-sized Air-launched Expendable Meteorological Sonde (MAXMS) for both military and research purposes. Conceptual designs were developed for an instrument that can be launched from standard aircraft countermeasures dispensers and that can achieve the required measurement accuracy. Two variants of the design, SAASM compatible and Standard C/A GPS, were provided. Using the conceptual designs resulting from Phase I research, NSI proposes to fabricate and test laboratory versions of the MAXMS, a ground test and programming fixture (GTPF) and a Flight Receiver Unit. Field prototypes of MAXMS units packaged in MJU-10 countermeasures form factors will be developed and ground tested. Initial flight testing will be conducted using a 6-round MJU-10 dispenser system installed on an appropriate aircraft along with an onboard dispenser control unit, the FRU and appropriate antennas. Final Verification and Validation (V&V) flight tests will use test aircraft equipped to launch larger commercial meteorological dropsondes such as those launched from the Vaisala AVAPS system. This will provide a standard against which data from the MAXMS units can be compared.