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NASA Study To Use a Predator B-class Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) In Support Of Arctic/Antarctic Polar Missionspresented by Casey DonohueMeteorological Engineer AS&M, Inc.NASA Dryden Flight Research CenterEdwards, CA: 

NASA Study To Use a Predator B-class Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) In Support Of Arctic/Antarctic Polar Missions presented by Casey Donohue Meteorological Engineer AS&M, Inc. NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Edwards, CA

Outline: 

Outline Objectives Background In UAS Experience Aircraft Description Current Activities Meteorological Requirements Summary

Objectives: 

Objectives Primary: NASA is assessing the challenges of operating a Predator B-class Unmanned Aerial System on/over the Antarctic Secondary: Assess the challenges of operating a Predator B-class UAS on/over the Arctic. Goal: The goal of this activity is to demonstrate that a UAS can be used as a platform science missions over a region like Antarctic/Arctic

Background: 

Background NASA Dryden has been demonstrating UAS capabilities since the early 1970’s 1994-2003 Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) 2004-Current High Altitude-Long Endurance (HALE) Many milestones were achieved during past UAS programs……. Altus II Thunderstorm Research Forest Fire Recon Altair Atmospheric/Ocean Research off California coast Helios Prototype World Record Flight 96,863 feet Pathfinder+ Imaging coral reef and vegetation over Kauai

Aircraft Description: 

Aircraft Description General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ Predator B “Ikhana” Ikhana: “to teach, to inform” Choctaw

Predator B Description/Airspeed capability: 

Predator B Description/Airspeed capability Remotely piloted aircraft Wing span: 66 ft (20m) Aircraft length: 36 ft (11m) Aircraft Gross Takeoff Weight: ~10,500 lb (4763 kg) Max Altitude: 50,000 ft Max Airspeed: 220+ KTAS* *KTAS (knots true air speed) Max Endurance: 30+ hrs Payload capacity: Internal 800 lb (363 kg) External 3,000 lb (1361 kg) Source: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems website: http://www.uav.com/products/predator-b.html

Weather Criteria: 

Weather Criteria Wind limits (surface) Headwind: 30 knots Crosswind: 15 knots Avoid thunderstorm/lightning* Avoid Turbulence ≥ moderate * Some non polar missions will require flights near thunderstorms.

Current Activities: 

Current Activities Collecting information on potential sites of operation Runway types (ice, gravel, paved,etc.) Hangar space and support facilities Fuel access Gather climate information (surface and upperair) Focus is on wind and temperature Identify locations with high probability of favorable conditions Identify alternate landing sites Evaluate satellite coverage for communication and navigation

Meteorological Requirements: 

Meteorological Requirements Must be able to forecast weather conditions (surface and aloft) with sufficient accuracy as to ensure safe recovery of the aircraft (Primary and alternate landing sites). Forecasts must be able to cover mission duration (30+ hours). Forecast for alternate landing sites, including the South Pole. Point forecasts along flight path for preflight and in-flight planning. Forecast soundings that can be used for mission planning purposes.

Summary: 

Summary Primary objective is to fly over the Antarctica continent, possibly South Pole, to demonstrate the Predator B as a science platform Flights over the Arctic is also a possibility, especially as a “Plan B” Will need to utilize existing hi-resolution models to generate point forecasts (surface and aloft) out to at least 30 hours Assistance from the modeling community would be most appreciated!!! Type of payload is TBD. If study becomes project, request for payload proposals should follow. Format TBD.