Lightweight Boundary-Layer Instrumentation Suitable For Miniature Robotic Aircraft Navy STTR FY2005 Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2005 Topic No.: N05-T028 Topic Title: Lightweight Boundary-Layer Instrumentation Suitable For Miniature Robotic Aircraft Proposal No.: N054-028-0204 Firm: Insitu Group Inc 118 Columbia River Way Bingen, Washington 98605 Contact: Tad McGeer Phone: (509) 493-8600 Web Site: www.insitugroup.net Abstract: Over the last ten years or so, precise measurements in the atmospheric boundary layer have become practical using novel instruments deployed on manned aircraft. Diverse overland and coastal boundary layers have been opened to often quite economical investigation using aircraft as small as ultralights. We now propose to extend this capability to robotic aircraft and towed gliders of tabletop size. We plan to develop a lightweight instrument suite for measuring (1) turbulent momentum flux; (2) pressure, temperature, and humidity; (3) cloud properties; and (4) surface wind and temperature. This suite will be integrated aboard Insitu's Seascan robotic aircraft, which will combine boundary-layer capability with two-day endurance, transoceanic range, ship- and shore-basing, and capacity for data-gathering beyond safe and economical reach by other platforms. The system will be made available as a commercial product, and the instrumentation will be applicable to other platforms. Benefits: The combination of boundary-layer capability with the economy and long range of miniature robotic aircraft would make measurements practical on an unprecedented scale. The value of boundary-layer data is such that deployment of this capability would become standard practice in atmospheric research programs, and possibly in certain operational forecasting applications supported by NOAA and the National Ocean Partnerships Program. Return