Spinsonde is a chute-free vertical retardation technique specifically developed\nfor fixed-wing unmanned aircraft to acquire accurate measurement of vertical\nwind speed profile for meteorological applications. Key advantages of spinsonde\nover the expendable chute-operated dropsondes are the ability to acquire\nmulti-cycle measurement, efficient use of payload capacity and cost-effectiveness.\nThis work proposes the concept of ââ?¬Å?rotosondeââ?¬Â, which is the\nspinsonde equivalent for unmanned helicopters. Computer simulations are\ncarried out to evaluate the performance of the rotosonde and results indicate\nthat the measured speed generally correlates with the wind speed to within Ã?±3\nkmÃ?·hâË?â??1 even for intensities in excess of 180 kmÃ?·hâË?â??1. The profound implication\nof this work is that unmanned helicopters can now be considered for important\nfield of studies such as cyclogenesis given their reliability to operate in\ngusty wind conditions in remote oceans, particularly during docking and\nlaunching from carriers.
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