Unmanned aerial vehicle “Tsimlyanin” for studying turbulent structure of atmospheric boundary layer

Abstract

A fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle “Tsimlyanin” having a hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) scheme with a compact meteorological payload is designed for an application to the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) studies. The main purpose of such an observational platform is to supplement traditional mast observations by sampling horizontal and vertical inhomogeneities of mean variables and turbulent statistics. Such observations are needed to advance turbulence theory especially for the ABL over inhomogeneous landscapes and also in non-stationary conditions. The VTOL scheme is chosen as it provides a safer take-off and landing and is less demanding to the landing conditions. The designed turbulence payload consists of a seven-hole probe, inertial navigation system and a fast-response platinum-wire temperature sensor. It is complemented with the static pressure sensor, a slow-response temperature and humidity sensor and an infrared surface temperature sensor. The data acquisition and logging is performed by an on-board computer. The designed system has been successfully tested in the summer campaign in 2020 in Tsimlyansk, Russia.