A new wind-simulation system operating within a Mississippi State laboratory now enables researchers to measure gusts, turbulence and other environmental factors impacting drone flight safety.
Installation of the state-of-the-art system further cements MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory as a national leader in the research and development of uncrewed aircraft systems, or UAS, paving the way for safer, more efficient, weather-resilient drone operations.
“The WindShape system significantly enhances our ability to test and refine aircraft technologies under realistic wind conditions, helping to ensure the safety and reliability of future UAS missions,” said Bryan Farrell, Raspet’s interim director.
Developed by Swiss-based WindShape Ltd., the system’s 12-by-12 wind wall features nearly 1,300 individually controlled fans, enabling researchers to simulate various wind patterns with high precision. The system integrates with Raspet’s OptiTrack system, allowing precise measurements of wind patterns and effects on aircraft.
“Until now, there has been an inability to standardize testing on drone performance in challenging wind conditions,” Farrell added. “The system bridges that gap, providing the data needed to develop robust safety guidelines to further enable advancements for industry and government use-cases.”
The project was made possible through a $1 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, secured with support from MSU’s Office of Research and Economic Development and U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Caden Teer, associate director of research engineering at Raspet, emphasized the system’s versatility and potential impact.
“As the FAA’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Safety Research Facility, Raspet is committed to leading the way in UAS safety research. The system enhances our capabilities, supporting our 20-year research plan focused on advancing weather and flight testing,” Teer said.
Housed within Raspet’s expansive facility at George M. Bryan Airport, the system allows for full-scale drone testing rather than relying on scaled-down models. Future expansions will include systems to simulate additional environmental conditions, such as precipitation from fog, light mists or summer showers.
This data is crucial for improving flight stability and control, especially for autonomous aircraft operating in diverse weather conditions.
Beyond aerospace applications, the system offers cross-disciplinary research opportunities. It will support studies in sensor development, environmental testing, human factors, agricultural applications and even pathogen-spread analyses.
MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Lab boasts the country’s largest fleet of uncrewed aircraft systems in academic use and more than 75 years of aviation research. Working in collaboration with MSU faculty, students and other research centers, Raspet leads major UAS research, testing and evaluation efforts on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Defense. For more, visit www.raspet.msstate.edu.