Operating drones in tough weather conditions like heavy rain or strong winds is a significant challenge. But a University of Memphis researcher just secured a $9.2 million contract from the U.S. Navy to change that narrative by designing and constructing a cutting-edge facility specifically for developing and testing drones that can thrive in adverse conditions.
Backed by the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock Division, the facility will be located on President’s Island at the William Morgan Large Cavitation Channel. While still in the early planning stages, this project is set to push the boundaries of drone technology.
The facility, dubbed the Unmanned Systems Degraded Environment Facility, is a clear indicator of the University of Memphis’ growing role in advancing tech innovation and bolstering national defense capabilities.
“This project is the latest in an ongoing effort by the University of Memphis to develop intentional research-focused collaborations with the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock,” said Cody Behles, executive director of research and innovation development at the University of Memphis. “The Memphis Institute for National Defense Sciences at the UofM helps coordinate opportunities in partnership with the offices of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation. Their collaboration and continued support are vital to get projects such as this off the ground.”
Leading the charge is Eddie Jacobs, a senior researcher at the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESER) and a professor in the Herff College of Engineering. The University of Memphis is teaming up with researchers from the University of Arizona, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City to bring this project to life.
“The William Morgan Large Cavitation Channel is already a unique facility for testing ship and submarine components,” Jacobs noted. “We now have the incredible opportunity to create another one-of-a-kind space for testing unmanned aerial systems (drones), significantly expanding the Navy’s capacity to develop and refine these systems.
“When flying drones, we are often restricted to days that have calm winds and no rain. We will be able to accurately control the wind and generate rain in this new facility,” Jacobs added. “This will help us design and test drones that can operate under more challenging conditions.”
Jacobs also highlighted the facility’s potential to push the performance of drones to new heights, with big implications for both military and civilian applications.
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