Dr. Richard Hann, Senior Researcher at NTNU and Director of the UAV Icing Lab, has received the NATO PST STC Young Contributor Award (Fall 2026). The award was presented during the first Platform Systems and Technology committee meeting in Antalya, Türkiye.
The award recognises Hann’s contributions to UAV icing research and his leadership in bringing together an international community to advance safe drone operations in cold climates and the Arctic. The award citation highlights his ability to identify important challenges, connect researchers across NATO nations, and establish UAV icing as a recognised research topic within NATO.
A central part of this work is AVT-388, “Operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Icing Environments,” which Hann co-chairs. The multinational research task group addresses the challenges that atmospheric icing poses to small UAVs, with a focus on fixed-wing aircraft below 150 kg.
Its work covers icing characterisation, detection and protection technologies, modelling and validation, weather-aware mission planning, and technical requirements. By bringing together expertise across these areas, the group aims to strengthen the knowledge base needed for safe and reliable UAV operations in icing conditions.
The recognition also acknowledges Hann’s founding of the international UAV Icing Workshop series, which provides a dedicated forum for sharing research, discussing operational challenges, and developing collaborations. His contributions have helped connect NATO research activities with the wider UAV icing community.
The award is presented by the Platform Systems and Technology (PST) Scientific and Technical Committee (STC), formerly the Applied Vehicle Technology (AVT) Panel, within the NATO Science and Technology Organization.
The UAV Icing Lab thanks the colleagues and collaborators whose contributions have made this joint research effort possible.
