The Maneuverable Atmospheric Probe (MAP), a Remotely Piloted Vehicle

摘要

This report documents, in considerable detail, the physical and aerodynamic characteristics of the 10-hp, 36.5-kg, radio-controlled MAP aircraft, as well as the novel fluidic and electrostatic vertical stabilizer systems assisting in aircraft control. The atmospheric and aerodynamic sensor configurations, including the sensor data telemetry system, are described. Three distinct flight experiments were conducted with the instrumented MAP vehicle. During the first experiment, dust particulate samples, ranging in size from 0.2 micrometer to 400 micrometer, were obtained by flying the RPV-mounted samplers through low altitude dust clouds generated by ground-based 105-mm artillery shell explosions. Data from this experiment are presented. The second experiment involved characterizing typical atmospheric conditions along a laser propagation range (path). Graphs of atmospheric temperature, pressure, RH, and derived air density, all as functions of RPV altitude, present data that are representative of those obtained from the second experiment. Measurement accuracies for temperature, pressure, and RH are respectively shown to be + or - 1 deg C, + or - 2% of the total pressure and + or - 4% of actual RH. The third experiment was conducted with the instrumented RPV being flown near a mountain peak whose altitude is 2440 millimeter relative to mean sea level (msl). Atmospheric electric field intensity and turbulence structure measurements as functions of RPV position relative to the mountain peak make up the third set of data presented in this report.