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

Phase I research will be conducted to prove the feasibility of developing a Micro-sized Air-launched Expendable Meteorological Sonde (MAXMS) for both military and research purposes. The proposed research will investigate unique meteorological measurementrequirements and engineering solutions and quantify the accuracy that can be obtained using Micro-sized form factors. The work will include investigation of newly developed miniature GPS technology capable of providing DOD approved Precision PositioningService (PPS) security. A preliminary design will be developed for an instrument that can be launched from standard aircraft countermeasures dispensers and that can achieve the required measurement accuracy. Optional work will validate conceptual designsto speed development of prototypes during Phase II. By deployments from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and optionally from manned aircraft, using existing Military dispenser technologies, MAXMS will enable four-dimensional (4-D) measurement and mappingof meteorological parameters in the atmosphere. This can be done spatially in three-dimensional (3-D) space through deployment of MAXMS that measure as they descend at different deployment locations and temporally (now 4-D) through deployment of MAXMS atdifferent times. Atmospheric meteorological conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction) affect numerous types of military activities. These include: (1) operations with surface watercraft (near surface weather conditions), (2) low andhigh altitude fixed and rotary wing aircraft operations (4) aerial and satellite reconnaissance, (5) use of guided weapons and countermeasures systems deployed from high altitudes, (6) use of search and fire control radar by ships and aircraft and (7)precision air drop of personnel, equipment, supplies and unattended ground sensors. There are significant non-military research, scientific, and environmental monitoring applications for an MAXMS. Use of an MAXMS deployed from manned or unmanned aircraftcan provide academia and agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an important means of measuring and modeling atmospheric conditions related to movement and dispersion of pollutants. Industry can use MAXMS's to predict dispersal andtransport of accidental chemical releases into the atmosphere and aid in determining mitigation methods. These applications indicate a potentially large market for future variants of the MAXMS designed for civilian use . The measurements would also beemployed scientifically for collection of research data and predictive model development and validations.