Abstract: One example includes an aircraft navigation system associated with an aircraft. The system includes a radio receiver configured to receive a radio signal that propagates from a remote transmitter through a portion of atmosphere to the aircraft. The system also includes an occultation processor configured to process the radio signal to determine a hazardous characteristic of the portion of the atmosphere through which the radio signal propagates. The system further includes an inertial navigation system (INS) configured to detect an intended flight path through the portion of the atmosphere and to provide a warning alarm in response to a determination of the intended flight path through the portion of the atmosphere comprising the determined hazardous characteristic.

Abstract: One example includes an aircraft navigation system associated with an aircraft. The system includes a radio receiver configured to receive a radio signal that propagates from a remote transmitter through a portion of atmosphere to the aircraft. The system also includes an occultation processor configured to process the radio signal to determine a hazardous characteristic of the portion of the atmosphere through which the radio signal propagates. The system further includes an inertial navigation system (INS) configured to detect an intended flight path through the portion of the atmosphere and to provide a warning alarm in response to a determination of the intended flight path through the portion of the atmosphere comprising the determined hazardous characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the intensification and weakening of tropical cyclones, including tropical storms and hurricanes. The method includes flying a UAV above the tropical cyclone for an extended period of time and detecting transitions in structure. Intensification to hurricane stage is indicated by core structure transition of the tropical cyclone to include the presence of an eye within an eyewall. The UAV can be a Global Hawk aircraft and include a number of sensors and detectors, such as a camera for providing images of the tropical cyclone, an infrared detector for detecting temperature changes in the eye structure, a radar detector for detecting wind magnitude and direction in the tropical cyclone, dropsonde sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed/direction in the tropical cyclone, etc. The UAV can relay the vortex parameter data in real time to a satellite for subsequent downlinking to receiving stations.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking the growth of large-area wildland fires. The technique includes monitoring wind conditions in and around a wildfire using near-surface-sited sensors deployed by a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), such as the Global Hawk. The deployed sensors measure a localized wind vector at multiple locations within and surrounding the wildfire, and transmit the wind data back to the UAV for relaying to a command center operated by fire management authorities, where the wind data are used to assist decision-making, including as input into wildfire growth prediction models. The sensors may provide additional data such as local altitude/elevation, pressure, temperature and relative humidity. The UAV may also carry sensors that provide additional data to be used by the fire management authorities or the wildfire growth prediction models—such as infrared images defining actively flaming areas, and visual images which indicate vegetation type and density.

Abstract: A method for detecting tornadogenesis in a mesocyclone, and to monitor and track intense tornadic mesocyclones. The method includes flying a UAV above the mesocyclone for an extended period of time and detecting transition to tornadic stage. This further intensification is indicated by transition in a core structure of the mesocyclone to include the presence of an eye. The UAV can be a Global Hawk aircraft and can include a number of sensors and detectors, such as an imaging camera for providing imaging data of the mesocyclone-core structure, an infrared detector for detecting changes in heat in the mesocyclone-core structure, a radar detector for detecting wind magnitudes and direction in the mesocyclone-core structure, dropsonde sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, relative humidity and wind direction in the mesocyclone-core structure, etc. The UAV can relay the storm parameter data to a satellite for subsequent downlinking to receiving stations at the Earth's surface.

Abstract: A method for detecting tornadogenesis in a mesocyclone, and to monitor and track intense tornadic mesocyclones. The method includes flying a UAV above the mesocyclone for an extended period of time and detecting transition to tornadic stage. This further intensification is indicated by transition in a core structure of the mesocyclone to include the presence of an eye. The UAV can be a Global Hawk aircraft and can include a number of sensors and detectors, such as an imaging camera for providing imaging data of the mesocyclone-core structure, an infrared detector for detecting changes in heat in the mesocyclone-core structure, a radar detector for detecting wind magnitudes and direction in the mesocyclone-core structure, dropsonde sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, relative humidity and wind direction in the mesocyclone-core structure, etc. The UAV can relay the storm parameter data to a satellite for subsequent downlinking to receiving stations at the Earth's surface.