NE North Dakota News

A research team from the University of North Dakota's Atmospheric Science department has partnered with Grand Sky, a business park specializing in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), to improve weather forecasting for drone operations. This collaboration is part of a NASA-funded initiative aimed at enhancing UAS capabilities in challenging environments.

The project, led by Professor Mounir Chrit, involves using data collected by the "Meteodrone," an aerial platform provided by Grand Sky. The goal is to develop a sophisticated forecasting system that aids decision-making for UAS flights. "North Dakota is all about UAS," said Chrit. "What we are building at UND is not just about flying drones, it’s about providing well-calibrated systems that support decision making under uncertainty."

This partnership aims to use UAS data to refine forecasting systems for better decision-making in critical missions, including weather challenges and airspace management. By leveraging North Dakota's strong UAS ecosystem, the project seeks to offer valuable insights into managing drone operations under unpredictable conditions.

The integration of real-time UAS data into forecasting models is expected to enhance flight planning accuracy, particularly in adverse weather. This aligns with NASA's objective to improve UAS capabilities and ensure safer integration into national airspace.

Research Assistant Professor Marwa Majdi emphasized the importance of using the Meteodrone for capturing data where most drones operate. "UAS-collected data is important to fill data gaps in the low-altitude atmosphere where most UAS flights take place," she stated.

Grand Sky provides an ideal setting for this innovative work due to its advanced infrastructure and proximity to Grand Forks Air Force Base. As a center for UAS technology, it continues to draw industry leaders and foster development of next-generation systems.

Tom Swoyer, president of Grand Sky, underscored the significance of improved weather forecasting for the future of UAS development. "As the first large-scale commercial UAS test park in the nation, providing aircrews with the most accurate weather information possible is of paramount importance to various UAS industry stakeholders," he said.

Chrit noted that this collaboration underscores North Dakota's leading role in global UAS development.