Improved EM Tactical Applications through UAS-Enhanced High-Resolution Mesoscale Data Assimilation and Modeling

The long-term goal of this project is to develop new and emerging analysis and forecast capabilities via improvements to environmental inputs to electro-magnetic (EM) tactical applications through Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) enhanced high-resolution mesoscale data assimilation and modeling. These capabilities will be achieved through the formulation, testing, evaluation, and demonstration of an environmental data assimilation and prediction system designed to quantify the UAS observation parameters, characteristics (e.g., vertical resolution, rate, etc.), measurement strategies and assimilation approaches that provide the greatest benefit for high-resolution (grid increment of 5-km or less) atmospheric tactical-scale environmental forecasts. The goal is to focus on EM tactical applications and metrics in evaluating the performance of the system. This development will leverage current and emerging capabilities for: i) environmental data assimilation, ii) adjoint-based sensitivity and observation impact, iii) air-ocean coupled modeling, and iv) EM tactical decision aid systems. Observational results from field programs such as Trident Warrior 2013 (TW13) will also be leveraged to build, test, and transition the prototype end-to-end (observation to tactical decision aid (TDA)) demonstration system. All meteorological inputs to the demonstration system will come from UAS platforms and sensors consistent with the present state-of-the-art; however, no specific operational UAS system will be targeted, transitioned or modified as part of this effort.