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Ken Vierra

Migrating gray whales photographed from a manned aircraft (MMPA Permit #: 19091-01) showing the feasibility of counting these large

Marine Mammal Monitoring Surveys Using a Hybrid Fixed-Wing UAS

UAS News /

Gathering data on the size of marine wildlife populations and better understanding the risks human activities pose to these populations are core responsibilities of NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center / Marine Mammal and Turtle Division. In this study, supported by the UAS Program Office, scientists will be evaluating the use of a fixed-wing UAS platform with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL; Firefly6 Pro, BirdsEyeView Aerobotics, Inc.).

Marine Mammal Monitoring Surveys Using a Hybrid Fixed-Wing UAS Read More »

Schematic of a proposed HORUS routine flight with balloon-based launch and ascent to 30km

First Test Flights of the High-altitude Operational Return Unmanned System (HORUS) for AirCore

UAS News /

AirCores are routinely launched near Boulder, Colorado using a 6.6-pound balloon with a parachute-based recovery. However, similar to routine weather balloon launches, the recovery of the AirCore and accompanying scientific instrumentation is not always easy.  AirCore recovery sites can be nearly 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from the launch site. Recovery sites depend on local winds and are limited to vehicle-accessible locations with few trees, lakes, and housing or commercial development. To increase options for AirCore sampling locations, NOAA/GMD is teaming up with UAS designers at Arizona State University and developers at Delta Zee Solutions, LLC to construct the “High-altitude Operational Return Unmanned System” (HORUS).

First Test Flights of the High-altitude Operational Return Unmanned System (HORUS) for AirCore Read More »

Example of mapped salmon spawning locations on the American River Study Site.

UAS-based Mapping of Riverine Habitats to Inform Management of Endangered Chinook Salmon

UAS News /

River systems provide the physical template for aquatic organisms, including endangered salmonids, and characterizing riverine habitat structure is crucial for species management and conservation. Traditionally, salmon habitat data has been collected over short river segments using ground survey methods, but there is a need to characterize habitat in high resolution at larger spatial scales. Advances in remote sensing from manned aircraft have greatly improved the ability for habitat mapping at larger scales but these approaches may not capture fine-scale habitat features. Now scientists at NOAA and the USGS are working to determine if imagery collected from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can be used to help provide quantitative habitat data at ecologically-relevant scales.

UAS-based Mapping of Riverine Habitats to Inform Management of Endangered Chinook Salmon Read More »

Rapid Detection of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Waters Nearshore Using sUAS

UAS News /

Several algal blooms around the U.S. produce biotoxins that pose significant risks to human health and marine life.  In recent years, these harmful algal blooms (HABs) have caused unprecedented impacts on coastal communities and the tourism, recreation and fishing businesses that support them. In Florida, for example, a recent (2017-2018) “red tide” lasted more than a year and ultimately impacted most of the Florida coast line, creating devastating impacts for fishermen, tourism, and local (beachside) businesses.

Using sUAS (small Unmanned Aircraft Systems) deployed with HAB sensors, we are working to develop and demonstrate a rapid, cost-effective response capability in order to more quickly and accurately know the location of bloom patches.

Rapid Detection of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Waters Nearshore Using sUAS Read More »