UK-based aerospace company Windracers has announced a new partnership with the Norwegian independent research institute NORCE, providing two Windracers ULTRA™ aircraft to support scientific survey missions in Antarctica. The aircraft will be deployed as part of the Troll Observing Network (TONe), a state-of-the-art monitoring system based around the Norwegian research station Troll, located in Dronning Maud Land, one of Antarctica's most remote and data-scarce regions.
The Windracers ULTRA aircraft, designed for self-flying cargo missions, will play a key role in enhancing Norway’s research capabilities in the region. NORCE plans to leverage the aircraft's ability to collect and transmit critical observational data to expand global understanding of Antarctica’s physical, biological, and geological processes.
Unlocking New Insights in the Antarctic
The TONe network aims to improve Antarctic research infrastructure by providing scientists from Norway and around the world with access to new streams of data that will inform studies on climate change, ecology, and the continent’s unique geological makeup. The Windracers ULTRAs will support this initiative by carrying a range of advanced optical and radar sensors for environmental monitoring.
"These aircraft are instrumental in our mission to gain a comprehensive understanding of the physical, biological, chemical, and geological processes in Antarctica," said Simon Muderack, CEO of Windracers. "With their ability to operate in extreme conditions, Windracers ULTRAs are well-suited to the demanding environment of the Antarctic."
This isn’t Windracers' first Antarctic mission. The ULTRA aircraft were previously deployed with the British Antarctic Survey in January 2024, successfully completing 25 fully-autonomous flights covering over 3,000 kilometers. The lessons learned from that mission will directly benefit the partnership with NORCE.
Expanding Norwegian Capabilities in Polar Research
NORCE’s decision to integrate the ULTRA aircraft into its Antarctic operations is part of a larger £200 million investment in upgrading the Troll research station. The overhaul includes not only infrastructure improvements but also the installation of a renewable energy system and the establishment of eight science observatories. This investment underscores Norway's commitment to advancing its research footprint in one of the world’s least understood regions.
"One of the reasons NORCE chose Windracers ULTRA is because of its proven ability to perform in the harsh conditions of Antarctica," said Rune Storvold, Senior Vice President of Observing Systems at NORCE. "These aircraft will enable us to cover vast areas, from the nearby ocean to the Antarctic Plateau, with a variety of payloads for data collection."
NORCE specializes in polar operations and develops sensor systems for monitoring, data collection, and real-time analysis. Integrating these systems into platforms like the Windracers ULTRA aircraft enhances the institute’s ability to conduct long-term, autonomous scientific surveys. The aircraft's heavy-lift capability, with a payload of up to 100 kilograms and a range of 1,000 kilometers, makes it an ideal tool for such missions.
Pushing the Boundaries of Autonomous Flight
The Windracers ULTRA represents a leap forward in autonomous flight technology for extreme environments. Designed to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and utilize satellite communications, the ULTRA is specifically tailored for missions in remote and challenging areas like Antarctica. Its ability to perform fully-autonomous flights over long distances with minimal human intervention opens new possibilities for scientific exploration in the region.
As the collaboration between Windracers and NORCE progresses, the ULTRA aircraft will become an integral part of Norway’s efforts to better understand the Antarctic’s role in global environmental systems. With its advanced capabilities, the ULTRA will help researchers gather the critical data needed to address some of the planet’s most pressing scientific questions.
This partnership underscores the growing role of autonomous technology in environmental research and monitoring, where platforms like the Windracers ULTRA are proving invaluable in pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in some of the world’s most inhospitable environments.
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