Remote Sensing of Battlefield Weather Conditions Using Unmanned Air Vehicles
Abstract
Presently fielded meteorological sensing and forecast systems do not provide adequate knowledge of visibility, cloud cover and other weather conditions in the lower atmosphere over target areas up to several hundred kilometers inside enemy-controlled territory. The effectiveness of electro- optical weapons could be enhanced if such information could be made available for tactical decisions aids. The use of unmanned air vehicles for this purpose is discussed in this report. Possible systems based on propellor-driven mini remotely piloted vehicles, jet-propelled target drones and unguided ballistic rockets have been analysed from the viewpoint of the aero-propulsive performance, guidance and navigation capabilities. Rudimetary cost estimates for vehicles and other components are included. Existing propellor-driven mini RPVs are inappropriate for the mission because of their relatively slow speed (around 100 knots). Time periods up to 7.5 hours would be involved in the data collection processes. Jet-propelled vehicles would be capable of performing the same missions in periods of about 1 hour. A rocket sounding system would reach the target area in about 7 minutes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA124275
Entities
People
- D. Sheppard
- E. Lucero
- J. Rowland
- Maynard L. Hill
- R. Constantine
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University