UAS Platform and Sensor Hardening for Hazardous Weather Environments

Expendable atmospheric sampling systems have become a critical part of the forecasting toolchain, and many novel methods for deploying sensors in-situ have been developed in recent years.  Single use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are seeing use in increasingly hazardous environments, including heavy precipitation, condensing conditions, and sub-freezing temperatures.  The ability for a UAS to withstand these environments is a challenge for both the platform itself and the sensors it carries; icing and moisture fouling can cause inaccurate readings or early loss of the platform altogether. In this Phase I STTR, Dragoon will work with researchers from University of Miami and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to explore novel methods for mitigating sensor failure as well as hardening UAS platforms for hazardous conditions.  Dragoon’s unique long endurance, low-cost platform is ideal for development of new sensing methods, using hybrid propulsion to provide ample power and flight time for low level sensing missions.  The research will focus on enabling fast response humidity measurement in challenging environments where these sensors are typically fouled by condensation or ice.  Additionally, new methods for de-icing UAS aerodynamic surfaces will be explored.