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Title: The DataHawk2 uncrewed aircraft system for atmospheric research
Abstract. The DataHawk2 (DH2) is a small, fixed-wing, uncrewed aircraft system, or UAS,developed at the University of Colorado (CU) primarily for taking detailedthermodynamic measurements of the atmospheric boundary layer. The DH2 weighs1.7 kg and has a wingspan of 1.3 m, with a flight endurance of approximately60 min, depending on configuration. In the DH2's most modern form, theaircraft carries a Vaisala RSS-421 sensor for pressure, temperature, andrelative humidity measurements, two CU-developed infrared temperaturesensors, and a CU-developed fine-wire array, in addition to sensors requiredto support autopilot function (pitot tube with pressure sensor, GPSreceiver, inertial measurement unit), from which wind speed and directioncan also be estimated. This paper presents a description of the DH2,including information on its design and development work, and puts the DH2 intocontext with respect to other contemporary UASs. Data from recent field work(MOSAiC, the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of ArcticClimate) is presented and compared with radiosondes deployed during thatcampaign to provide an overview of sensor and system performance. These datashow good agreement across pressure, temperature, and relative humidity aswell as across wind speed and direction. Additional examples of measurementsprovided by the DH2 are given from a variety of previous campaigns inlocations ranging from the continental United States to Japan and northernAlaska. Finally, a look toward future system improvements and upcomingresearch campaign participation is given.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1805569
PAR ID:
10440784
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Volume:
15
Issue:
22
ISSN:
1867-8548
Page Range / eLocation ID:
6789 to 6806
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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