Unsettled Topics in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Icing
Richard Hann, Tor A. JohansenUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are an emerging technology with a large
variety of commercial and military applications. In-flight icing occurs during
flight in supercooled clouds or freezing precipitation and is a potential
hazard to all aircraft. In-flight icing on UAVs imposes a major limitation on
the operational envelope. This report describes the unsettled topics related to
UAV icing.
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First, typical UAV applications and the general
hazards of icing are described.
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Second, an overview of the special technical
characteristics of icing on autonomous and unmanned aircraft is given.
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Third, the operational challenges for flight in icing
conditions are discussed.
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Fourth, technologies for ice protection that mitigate
the icing hazard are introduced.
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Fifth, the tools and methods required to understand
UAV icing and to develop aircraft with cold-weather capabilities are presented.
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Finally, an assessment of the current and future
regulations regarding icing on UAVs is provided.
Icing is a key challenge that the UAV industry needs to address in order
to unlock the full potential of this emerging technology. UAVs must be capable
of safe and reliable operation in a wide range of weather conditions. This
report outlines the most important challenges and gives short- and long-term
recommendations on how to solve UAV icing issues.
NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate
key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the
mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate
discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of
identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the
challenges they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny.