Recently, China has completed a very important test in Hainan -- the first typhoon detection test by high-altitude large UAV. On the afternoon of Aug. 2nd , China's self-developed UAV took off from Boao Airport in Hainan province, carrying detecting equipment. When reached an altitude of 10,000 meters, it successfully dropped 30 sondes. Together with the millimeter-wave radar, the sondes carried out a "CT stereoscopic scan" of the outer cloud system of typhoon Sinlaku. The detected data is transmitted to the ground command system in real time.

It is China's first comprehensive detection of ocean and typhoon carried out by high-altitude large UAV, filling the gap in the field of ocean comprehensive detection based on high-altitude large-scale UAV. It is of great significance to typhoon detection and forecast.

The pod involved in the detection was from HemsTec

These two pods are developed and produced by ZR Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HemsTec.

The pod can adapt to the environment of high altitude and low temperature, and has the functions of heating, heat preservation and automatic release 

Our team undertook the task of pod development in 2018. It took nearly 2 years to overcame difficulties. We finally completed the overall design, detailed design, initial sample development, and various ground tests and flight tests of the pod.

More than 2m long and 35cm high, the pod is lightweight and can be suspended directly under the wing or fuselage. The pod adopts the principle of spiral conveying, which can precisely control the rotation angle, push the sonde to the transmitting position accurately, and automatically complete the dropping action according to the instruction.

At the same time, the pod has the functions of heating, heat preservation, power supply, and data return, which can ensure that the pod task to be completed more stably and prolonged under the high altitude state. The pod can not only be used for sonde dropping, but also for other special equipment. It is a new type of pod which can be widely used.

Features of pod:

● Low air resistance with good aerodynamic shape,

● Meet the lightweight design requirements

● With internal temperature control system, adapt to the environment of high altitude & low temperature

● It can be automatically dropped in sequence, and only need power supply and RS422 communication with the aircraft

● Large internal capacity.

● Providing the filling device, ground test bench and other equipment

● Periodic report of equipment status and fault code

This test is not only a breakthrough on China's comprehensive detection of ocean and typhoon carried out by high-altitude large UAV, but also the first practical application of this pod. In the future, HemsTec will continue to promote the application of pod in other fields.