Recommendations for the use of unmanned aeronautical systems equipped with photo recording equipment for assessing the condition of the runway coatings in the polar regions

A method has been developed and tested for determining the albedo of the underlying runway surfaces located in the polar regions with the help of unmanned aircraft systems and the combined use of a photo-recording device and actinometrical equipment. The relevance of the non-contact method for assessing melting and thawing of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is substantiated. The proposed original method is based on the use of an available measuring technique, which makes it possible to correctly estimate the albedo, reducing by several times the time spent on collecting data on large areas in hard-to-reach areas. The theoretical probability of using the proposed technical solution, and the results of its test tests in the polar regions with the help of high-tech equipment and unmanned aircraft systems of the simplest technical means are considered. Based on obtained results, an analysis was made of the operation of unmanned aircraft systems for assessing the state of runways and the application of the concept to the potential improving of the ways to collect field data in polar regions. The developed method of the hardware-software complex provides the possibility of fast and high-quality data collection on large areas, on the runways of the Arctic and Antarctic airports by the contactless method.

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NOAA's Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Arctic

AIAA Infotech@Aerospace Conference ◽

10.2514/6.2009-2004 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth Weatherhead ◽

Robyn Angliss

Keyword(s):

Unmanned Aircraft ◽

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ◽

The Arctic ◽

Aircraft Systems

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Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Geotechnical Monitoring of Pipelines in the Arctic

10.4043/25582-ms ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Keith Cunningham ◽

Michael Hatfield ◽

Laura Samsó Pericón

Keyword(s):

Unmanned Aircraft ◽

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ◽

The Arctic ◽

Aircraft Systems ◽

Geotechnical Monitoring

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The Innovative Strategies for Observations in the Arctic Atmospheric Boundary Layer Project (ISOBAR) —Unique fine-scale observations under stable and very stable conditions

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society ◽

10.1175/bams-d-19-0212.1 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-64

Author(s):

Stephan T. Kral ◽

Joachim Reuder ◽

Timo Vihma ◽

Irene Suomi ◽

Kristine Flacké Haualand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Boundary Layer ◽

Stable Boundary Layer ◽

Unmanned Aircraft ◽

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ◽

The Arctic ◽

Fine Scale ◽

Stable Boundary ◽

Innovative Strategies ◽

Aircraft Systems ◽

Stable Conditions

Capsule summaryCombining ground-based micrometeorological instrumentation with boundary layer remote sensing and unmanned aircraft systems for high-resolution observations on the stable boundary layer over sea ice and corresponding modelling experiments.

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Unmanned Aircraft Systems Performance in a Climate-Controlled Laboratory

Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems ◽

10.1007/s10846-021-01392-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 102 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Matteo Scanavino ◽

Arrigo Avi ◽

Andrea Vilardi ◽

Giorgio Guglieri

Keyword(s):

Experimental Data ◽

Deep Understanding ◽

Reynolds Numbers ◽

Unmanned Aircraft ◽

Unmanned Aircraft Systems ◽

Quality Data ◽

Small Scale ◽

System Modelling ◽

Aircraft Systems ◽

Wide Range

AbstractDespite many research studies focus on strategies to improve autopilot capabilities and bring artificial intelligence onboard Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), there are still few experimental activities related to these vehicle performance under unconventional weather conditions. Air temperature and altitudes directly affect thrust and power coefficients of small scale propeller for UAS applications. Reynolds numbers are usually within the range 10,000 to 100,000 and important aerodynamic effects, such as the laminar separation bubbles, occur with a negative impact on propulsion performance. The development of autonomous UAS platforms to reduce pilot work-load and allow Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations requires experimental data to validate capabilities of these innovative vehicles. High quality data are needed for a deep understanding of limitations and opportunities of UAS under unconventional flight conditions. The primary objective of this article is to present the characterization of a propeller and a quadrotor capabilities in a pressure-climate-controlled chamber. Mechanical and electrical data are measured with a dedicated test setup over a wide range of temperatures and altitudes. Test results are presented in terms of thrust and power coefficient trends. The experimental data shows low Reynolds numbers are responsible for degraded thrust performance. Moreover, details on brushless motor capabilities are also discussed considering different temperature and pressure conditions. The experimental data collected in the test campaign will be leveraged to improve UAS design, propulsion system modelling as well as to provide guidelines for safe UAS operations in extreme environments.

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