Military UAV Flights Obtain Arctic Ice Images

Unmanned US military technology now has a new role – assessing the extent of Arctic ice loss as a result of climate change.

Likewise, the Boeing ScanEagle UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is providing insight into seal numbers and locations, too.

The Arctic monitoring flights are being studied by representatives from various organisations, including the University of Colorado.

According to head researcher Elizabeth Weatherhead, the research is truly innovative since, prior to now, conventional manned aircraft have been deployed. Now, comprehensive images can be obtained without imperilling pilots or observers: let’s not forget that this is a hostile environment characterised by intense storms.

Arctic Ice Images

There are further benefits to using UAVs to obtain Arctic ice images, too: for one, associated costs are reduced. The ScanEagle is equipped with hi-tech facial recognition technology which is capable of telling one seal species apart from the other and, so, highlighting location trends.

“By finding the types of ice they [seals] prefer, we can keep track of that ice and see how it holds up as the Arctic sea ice extent shrinks”, Weatherhead explained in a press release issued by the University of Colorado.

“Biologists are thrilled about the image recognition software because it could change the way we monitor seal populations”, she added. “We can send an unmanned craft out from a ship, collect 4,000 images, and have them analyzed before dinner.”

UAV Arctic Ice Flights

These UAV Arctic ice flights contrast with the ScanEagle’s usual role, which involves data collection in the skies over some of the world’s most lethal conflict zones.

The Boeing ScanEagle is one of the smaller UAVs in modern-day military service. First flown in 2002, it equips the US Navy along with several other operators.

The UAV is effectively flung into the air via a specialised launch system and, from there, it can carry out missions lasting for over 20 hours, cruising at approximately 60 knots.

ScanEagle image copyright Boeing