Bruce McPherson

The Black Swift S0 drone, developed for the USAF to gather weather data in extreme conditions. Photograph: Black Swift Technologies

A drone developed for the USAF can fly into the most extreme weather conditions to gather data on winds and wind shear

A new portable drone will gather weather data in extreme conditions. Developed by Black Swift Technologies for the USAF, the hand-launched drone has a wingspan of 1.3 meters. Most small drones are fair-weather fliers, but the S0 can cope with storm-force winds and arctic temperatures.

Black Swift CEO Jack Elston says the company has benefitted from experience of sturdy airframe designs from dynamic soaring, a sport in which unmanned gliders compete to reach the highest speed. Previous Black Swift drones have flown missions in supercell thunderstorms and tornadic conditions.

A set of strategically placed heating elements prevent the drone’s sensors from icing over in freezing conditions.

The USAF will use the new drone to reduce the risk of parachuting soldiers or heavy equipment being pushed off course by unexpected winds. It carries sensors to map wind shear, the sometimes-dramatic changes in wind speed and direction with height. Currently wind shear is estimated by computer modelling, but the S0 will gather data on the spot, climbing rapidly from ground level to 15,000 feet.

Elston plans to bring out a low-cost version of the S0 for civilian meteorologists shortly after he delivers to the Air Force next spring. This may prove to be popular, as many researchers currently have to build their own, attaching sensors to flimsy commercial drones.