Maritime and Artic Observation with UAS

This Sequential Phase II builds upon the work completed under NOAA SBIR Topic 8.2.8, titled Maritime and Arctic Observation (MAS) with Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Under the NOAA SBIR, PEMDAS Technologies and Innovations successfully prototyped and integrated an airborne atmospheric sensor on a vertical take-off and landing (vTOL) UAS and developed high resolution machine-to-machine (M2) weather decision support products. PEMDAS proposes to further develop and expand these decision support technologies for the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). USSOCOM employs manned and unmanned weapons and surveillance systems that support worldwide military operations. These weapons and surveillance systems demand ever higher levels of tactical intelligence resolution and accuracy. Key to this tactical intelligence fidelity, and to the safety of airborne operators, is accurate, trust-worthy real-time knowledge of critical atmospheric phenomenon such as icing and clouds. Coupling PEMDAS’ high-fidelity airborne sensors and M2M data fusion systems, PEMDAS will research, develop, and demonstrate the next level of critical environmental intelligence prototypes specifically designed for the MQ-1C/ER Gray Eagle. All facets of the Gray Eagle mission including Ground Control Station (GCS) interface, platform fuel state knowledge will be innovatively research and developed under this SBIR. PEMDAS will modify and integrate the Atmospheric Sensing & Prediction System (ASAPS) on the MQ-1C/ER for predicting cloud and icing conditions, enabling the operator to have immediate situational awareness of adverse weather conditions visualized on mission support systems.