EAGER: Cloud Microphysics Measurements Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems

小型无人驾驶飞机系统在大气研究领域提供了独特的可能性。这些系统的一个引人注目的用途是填补测量中的空白，这些空白对其他飞机来说太昂贵或太危险，无法定期取样。该合同将为测量云属性的概念验证系统提供资金。这项工作背后的总体概念是，UAS对降水和云粒子的测量将有助于更好地为天气模型提供信息，并改进雷达观测，最终目标是改善天气预报，造福社会。几名学生将接受培训，这些工具将用于外联工作。该合同将用于获取、开发和测试用于加强云和降水物理研究的仪器。小型无人机系统（SUAS）将配备三种新仪器：1)用于测量对流云附近云凝结核数量的凝结粒子计数器，2)用于测量液态水成体表液滴大小分布的分力计，以及3)用于估计液滴大小分布第三时刻的液态水含量传感器。主要任务包括仪器的初始测试，开发使每个传感器机载的方法，然后在不同类型的云和降水事件中进行多达12次部署。云特性的现场测量可用于阐明降水系统内的微物理过程，为雷达观测和模拟研究提供验证，并为云模式开发估算低层雷达变量的新方法。

Small unmanned aircraft systems offer unique possibilities in areas of atmospheric research. One of the compelling uses for these systems is to fill in gaps in measurements in places where it is too expensive or too dangerous for other aircraft to regularly sample. This award will provide funding for a proof-of-concept system to measure cloud properties. The overall concept behind the work is that UAS measurements of precipitation and cloud particles will help to better inform weather models and improve radar observations, with an end goal of improving weather forecasts for the benefit of society. Several students will be trained and the instruments will be used in outreach efforts.This award is for the acquisition, development, and testing of instrumentation that will be used to enhance studies of cloud and precipitation physics. Three new instruments will be incorporated onto a small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS): 1) a condensation particle counter for the measurement of the number count of cloud condensation nuclei in the vicinity of convective clouds, 2) a disdrometer for the drop size distribution of liquid hydrometeors, and 3) a liquid water content sensor for the estimation of the third moment of the drop size distribution. The main tasks include initial testing of the instruments, the development of methods to get each sensor airborne, and then up to 12 deployments in varying types of cloud and precipitation events. The in-situ measurements of cloud properties can be used to elucidate microphysical processes within precipitation systems, to provide validation for radar observations and modeling studies, and to develop new methods of estimating radar variables at low levels for cloud models.