FALCON: Flight Autonomy and Local Climate Observation Navigator

Case ID:

2026-014

BACKGROUND

Many technologies help researchers and meteorologists collect atmospheric data such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed or direction. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), which often carry advanced and costly detection instruments, are among the most common tools used for this purpose. However, scientists studying severe weather may hesitate to risk losing these expensive systems in hazardous conditions, leaving important atmospheric data uncollected and key questions about the formation and dynamics of severe weather unanswered. As a result, there is a significant need for low-risk technology that can be deployed in severe weather without concerns over replacement costs or retrieval challenges.

SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY

The FALCON (Flight Autonomy and Local Climate Observation Navigator) directly addresses the challenge of severe weather profiling by offering a lightweight, affordable, and easily replaceable small UAS purposely built for atmospheric measurements in hazardous environments. It is constructed from commonly available and robust 7-inch FPV quadcopter components, enclosed within a custom 3D-printed aerodynamic shell for quick assembly and low cost compared to conventional metrology systems. With FALCON, researchers can safely capture critical atmospheric data in conditions too dangerous or expensive for traditional equipment. The system’s live telemetry feature ensures continuous real-time data transmission to the ground station, so even if a unit is lost to severe weather, the collected data remains secure and immediately accessible.

FALCON