Doppler Wind Lidars for UAS flight path planning and energy extraction

While attending the American Meteorological Convention (AMS) Jan 5-8, 2015 in Phoenix, AZ ... I ran into this fascinating presentation at the Seventh Symposium on Lidar Atmospheric Applications:

"The utilization of numerical forecast models and airborne Doppler Wind Lidars for UAS flight path planning and energy extraction" Steven Greco and George D Emmitt

ABSTRACT: https://ams.confex.com/ams/95Annual/...per267677.html

To put it in soaring glider pilot language... use small regional models (like Dr Jack's RASP) and on-board doppler wind lidar (DWL) to help UAVs find regions of lift (i.e. "energy extraction"). The point is to extend the range of UAS's for loitering well beyond what batteries and aerodynamic efficiencies can provide. Or simply put... use soaring skill to keep those loitering aircraft aloft. The project name is AEORA (Atmospheric Energy Opportunity Ranking Algorithm).

George D (Dave) Emmitt was the presenter. He is THE expert, scientist, and fellow of the AMS specializing in use of doppler wind lidars, both ground, aircraft and space based. Take a look at his company, Simpson Weather Associates www.swa.com In there you'll see more info including a photo of a Navy Twin Otter with lidar mounted on side. Based on a side conversation with another lidar scientist and friend, Dr Eloranta University of Wisconsin, fiber lasers could be built light and small enough to fly on UAVs and glider.... say 30-40 lbs. George "Dave" Emmitt seems to have no problem getting federal funding for these lidar projects. This one was funded by the US DoD (Army Research Laboratory).

BTW.. someone in the gliding community has already asked Dave Emmitt to present at one of the SSA Conventions several years ago. He wasn't ready at that time. But now is interested in tapping the glider cross country pilot experience for this project. Now, he is far enough along to accept an invitation to talk more about this to the soaring community.

I was fascinated by this talk and hope you also find it interesting.

Walt Rogers WX