Weather Scout UAV (WSUAV)

1. Weather Scout UAV (WSUAV) Col Mark Weadon HQ USAF

2. Weather Scout UAV • Requirements • CONOPS • Foreign Comparative Testing • Aerosonde UAV • Test Planning • Schedule/Procurement • Mitigation • Summary

3. Weather Scout UAVRequirements Improve accuracy/resolution of weather forecasts, extend forecast valid times, & improve situation awareness • Tropical Cyclone and Battlefield weather reconnaissance • COMPACAF - Executive Agent for USPACOM Tropical Cyclone Reconnaissance (CINCPAC Inst 3140.1W) • Tropical Cyclone Reconnaissance and Specification Capability – HQ USAF MNS 006-97 • Observing System-21st Century (OS-21) – HQ USAF ORD 001-94 I/II/III C • Mobile, directed, near real-time, low-cost, highly-automated weather sensors

4. Weather Scout UAVRequirements • Reconnaissance when satellite leveraging fails • COMPACOM-directed WC-130 deployment After Action Report noted utility of reconnaissance • COMPACAF-directed inquiry into Super Typhoon Pongsana Weather Scout UAV concept • Flexible, directed weather sensor suite capable of operating in data sparse and data denied areas

5. Weather Scout UAVRequirements • UAV operating radius of no less than 750nm around ground station • Capability to sense the following meteorological parameters from the UAV's operating altitude: wind direction and speed, air temperature and humidity, and atmospheric pressure • Ability to take digital still images of battlefield WX conditions • WX data distribution to ground station < 3 minutes; images < 10 minutes • UAV endurance > 30 hrs • UAV top speed > 70 mph • UAV operating ceiling 20,000 ft • Use automatic navigation system - can be programmed, reprogrammed, changed/resumed in-flight; & ability to return to launch site automatically or ditch based on pre-programmed logic or remote instructions; • Operate in winds of 50 mph, up to moderate precipitation, and up to moderate turbulence; in ambient temperature (T) -30oF > T < 125oF

6. Weather Scout UAVCONOPS • Lease UAV as a COTS data service • Contractor provides the C2 center, operations, maintenance, and logistics and launches/recovers the aircraft • Flight ops location dependent on operational prioritization—seasonal weather threats, targets • Data available to Navy/AF/NOAA weather systems • observation distribution; into METOC models • Data and forecast products sent to C2 systems

7. Weather Scout UAVWarfighter Benefits • Improved situational and predictive battlespace awareness for commanders and mission planners—all services—weather impacts mitigated • Improved weapons employment tactics • Reduced human and resource risks • Enhances flight safety and resource protection

8. Weather Scout UAVFCT Program • Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program • WSUAV is a FY05 FCT project • $1M Guam Congressional plus-up • $137K Army Corps of Engineers PILOT program • Aerosonde—Australia, Aerosonde Pty Ltd • Only UAV to meet performance requirements, and to do so within budget

9. Weather Scout UAVAerosonde COTS – UAV and weather sensors • Range: ~1800nm • Altitude: up to ~20k ft • ~30 hours flight time • Pressure, Temp, RH • Wind dir/speed • GPS Navigations • Communications • UHF Radio, LEO Satellite Autonomous Wingspan ~10 ft Engine 24cc Fuel-injected Weight 29-33lbs

10. Weather Scout UAVAerosonde • Lightweight and easily transportable • 1-person portable; folds into golf club-sized box • Fully autonomous, with remote command • Launch-and-leave • Flight follow

11. Weather Scout UAVAerosonde • Data provided in World Meteorological Organization format (AMDAR)—easily integrated into existing DoD weather systems • Operating costs comparison • Aerosonde operations cost approximately 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of WC-130 operations

12. Collection Processing& Tailoring Distribution UHF LOS orIridium Satcom C2 Node Ground ControlStation Weather Scout UAV INTERNET FTP/HTTP Server NIPRNET Regional Product Tailoring (JTWC/17 OWS) NIPRNET/SIPRNET Numerical Fcst Center (AFWA) INTERNET Weather Scout UAV Aerosonde - System View

13. Weather Scout UAVTest Planning • Small UAV SPO, ASC, WPAFB – Project Lead • Det 1, AFOTEC, Kirtland AFB, NM –Test Lead • Mission suitability, sensor accuracy, forecast accuracy improvement, weather system and interoperability • Weather modeling/forecast data analysis: AFWA & JTWC • Aerosonde data collection tests/flights • NASA WFF (Wallops Island, VA) – Aircraft performance flights; Sep 05 • Guam (Andersen AFB or NW Airfield) – TC recon; Oct - Nov 05

14. Weather Scout UAVSchedule/Procurement • Schedule • Test Planning Sep 04 – Apr 05 • FCT Notification Dec 04 • Contracting Jan - Jun 05 • Operations Testing Sep 05 – Nov 05 • Data Analysis Nov 05 – Dec 05 • Final Report Mar 06 • Procurement: SPO to contract for flight hours at locations as required—lease data service • PACAF FY06-10 POM unfunded: ~$2.1 per year

15. Weather Scout UAVSummary • Need to improve and extend forecasts, improve situational awareness—TC and Battlefield • Utilize a UAV to provide wx data reconnaissance—WSUAV CONOPS • Aerosonde UAV expected to meet WSUAV requirements—COTS, low-cost – FCT • Testing in Wallops Island & Guam: AFOTEC • Final report: Mar 06 – Operational funding?