Author Archives: uavicinglab

Can ice fragments destroy a UAV propeller?

In one of our recent icing wind tunnel experiments, the NTNU UAV Icing Lab investigated if ice fragments are a hazard to UAV propellers. The resulting high-speed video footage shows the moment ice impacts the propeller blades. Here is a small preview of the footage. When an aircraft flies into special meteorological weather conditions, iceContinue reading “Can ice fragments destroy a UAV propeller?”

Cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR)

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has signed a collaboration agreement with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The scope of the agreement is to conduct joint research in the field of icing on unmanned aerial systems (UAVs). The collaboration is going to be pivoting around the NTNU UAV Icing Lab the the DLRContinue reading “Cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR)”

Are unmanned aircraft more sensitive to icing compared to manned aircraft?

**NEW Publication** A recent paper investigates the sensitivity of unmanned aircraft to icing in comparison to manned aircraft. Differences in airframe size and airspeed can lead to substantially different icing performance penalties. Think of a “normal” aircraft. Chances are that you are thinking of something that is officially called a “large transport aircraft” – aContinue reading “Are unmanned aircraft more sensitive to icing compared to manned aircraft?”

Icing wind tunnel experiments on UAV ice shedding

This summer, the UAV Icing Lab went on a joint campaign with UBIQ Aerospace at the icing wind tunnel facility of the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). The main goal of the campaigns was to do experiments on ice protection systems for UAVs and to study the effects of icing on propellers. Among otherContinue reading “Icing wind tunnel experiments on UAV ice shedding”

How is an UAV affected by in-flight icing and can we simulate it accurately?

**NEW MASTER THESIS** One of the master students of the UAV Icing Lab has finished his thesis work. Johannes Oswald conducted his thesis in collaboration with the Institute of Aerodynamics and Gas Dynamics at the University of Stuttgart and the von Karman Institude for Fluid Dynamics. Read more about this research project here. Ice build-upContinue reading “How is an UAV affected by in-flight icing and can we simulate it accurately?”

How often do drones encounter icing conditions?

We often hear the following question: “How often do drones actually encounter icing conditions?”. This is a very good question – and until recently we had only vague answers. Usually, we would refer to two reports in the literature that discuss icing frequencies for the US and the rest of the world. These two reportsContinue reading “How often do drones encounter icing conditions?”

How much energy is required to prevent ice on UAVs?

**NEW PUBLICATION** In-flight icing on UAVs is a severe hazard that prevents drone operations in bad weather conditions. In order to overcome this limitation, UAVs can be equipped with ice protection systems that mitigate the negative effects of icing. One solution is to heat the exposed surfaces of the aircraft electrically with carbon fiber materials.Continue reading “How much energy is required to prevent ice on UAVs?”

Why is icing on UAVs important?

In-flight icing of drones is a severe hazard that significantly limits the usage of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The UAV Icing Lab has the mission to provide knowledge and solutions for the operations of unmanned aircraft in icing conditions. Atmospheric icing is a well known phenomenon in the Nordic countries. Icing on power linesContinue reading “Why is icing on UAVs important?”