QinetiQ applies WiPPR for accurate single-pass airdrops
QinetiQ North America (QNA) has received a $3 million contract from the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for its Wind Profiling Portable Radar (WiPPR) technology.
WiPPR provides near real-time precision wind measurements, which will enable C-130 and C-17 aircrews to airdrop critical supplies more accurately and quickly to US ground forces in austere locations. Under the contract, QNA will design and build a prototype airborne WiPPR unit that will be tested to demonstrate accurate wind measurement in near real time.
Airborne WiPPR is based on QNA’s commercially available ground based WiPPR Wind-Profiling Portable Radar technology. WiPPR systems are available for research, weather, and commercial wind markets worldwide.
Bob Polutchko, Vice President of QNA’s Emerging Markets, said: “Airborne WiPPR will provide the airdrop aircraft an organic capability to characterize the air mass and execute a ‘single-pass’ precision resupply of troops in contact. This capability will reduce the exposure of aircraft and aircrews to enemy countermeasures.”
QNA has a long history of providing operational systems to the US military that provide local meteorological data in support of critical operations including airdrop. WiPPR is the next step in this operational capability.