Atmospheric considerations for uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) flight test planning

Atmospheric considerations are a key element in support of uninhabited aerial vehicle (UAV) flight testing. The local atmospheric environment (wind speed and direction, wind shear, temperature, precipitation, and turbulence) must be characterized and understood. The primary objective is to ensure safety of the vehicle, test range, and ground assets. The generalized atmospheric behavior for any potential flight operations site is best described by combining the local seasonal climatology, daily upper atmospheric wind and temperature profiles, and hourly surface and low-level wind observations. This paper describes a continuous forecast update process based on monitoring atmospheric turbulence with surface and low-level wind for the support of UAV flights. Updates ensure the most current available data needed for mission planning. Each mission plan is developed so as not to exceed operation limits because of weather conditions. This paper also discusses climatology, weather forecasts, an...