Platform

RAAVEN
Robust Autonomous Airborne Vehicle - Endurant and Nimble

1: Campaigns
0: Data Products

NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Overview

The Robust Autonomous Airborne Vehicle - Endurant and Nimble (RAAVEN) is an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) operated by the University of Colorado Boulder. It was designed for supercell thunderstorm missions and can support a multi-instrument meteorological sensor package and computing measurements. It has a wingspan of 2.3 meters, a nominal takeoff weight of 15 lbs, and an endurance of 2.5 to 2.8 hours.