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Drones in the Arctic: A New Technological Era

 

On 3 October, Petrozavodsk State University announced a new overwater unmanned complex designed for water monitoring. We review a new UAV model and the history behind drones in the Arctic.

An overwater drone from PetrSU, Arctic drones
Credit: PetrSU

The Director of the Centre for Digital Monitoring of Northern and Arctic Ecosystems at PetrSU commented on the invention and provided details about the complex:

Specialists from PetrSU have completed the entire cycle of design, hull manufacturing, assembly, and soldering. The complex can be used as a remotely piloted or an autonomous platform with a programmed trajectory, capable of automatically and manually measuring hydrological and ecological indicators, as well as monitoring the seabed, bridge supports, pipelines, and other structures.

Parametres of the overwater UAV

The complex consists of an overwater unmanned vessel equipped with two digital cameras that transmit video to a monitoring station via real-time streaming protocol.

Thanks to two collectorless electric motors, the vessel can reach speeds of up to 10 km/h. The motors are located below the waterline. As for the drone, it can navigate autonomously using GPS but can also be controlled manually from a distance of 30 km.

Thanks to its eight Li-Pol batteries with a total capacity of 80,000 mAh, the vessel can operate for at least 24 hours .

Complex' body is designed as a catamaran using composite and polymer materials (PVC), while 37 components of the hull were 3D printed from PLA plastic. The hull houses a platform that contains the batteries and monitoring equipment.

A drone with a control device
Credit: PetrSU

The developers expect that the vessel will be used for supervisory and ecological monitoring of water. Potential clients include mining companies, hydrometeorological centres, research institutions, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Federal Agency for Fishery.

There are several advantages to this project, as existing foreign alternatives have various disadvantages:

  • High cost (4-10 million rubles (around $41-103 thousand))
  • Lack of intelligent object detection systems
  • Absence of water sampling systems
  • Shorter operational radius (1-5 km)
  • Limited operational time (2-4 hours)

The PetrSU drone will cost under 1 million rubles (around $10 thousand) in its basic configuration. Moreover, the developers continue to expand the vessel's capabilities: a new technical vision system will enable it to recognise objects on the water. Additionally, a remote control system using LoRa radio channels and microcontroller programming is being developed.

History Behind Drones

The use of unmanned technologies in the Arctic has been relevant for many years. The opportunity to utilise such technologies in the Arctic first appeared in the 2000s.

According to AARI, Russian drones began being used in 2007 when the Eleron-T23 flew over the North Pole-35 floating station. Since 2009, these systems have been continuously employed year-round to monitor ice conditions in the station’s drift area.

A vessel Tesla blueprint
Credit: United States Patent And Trademark Office
A vessel Tesla blueprint.

Surprisingly, drones trace their origins not to the 21st century or even the 20th, but back to 1898 when Nikola Tesla presented his first radio-controlled mechanism. It was an overwater drone, demonstrated at Madison Square Garden.

Tesla did not limit himself to theory; he also applied for a patent. He developed ideas for military drones that he believed could limit conflicts and promote permanent peace due to their ‘certain and unlimited destructiveness.’

The first military drone was the Kettering Bug torpedo, invented during World War I.

First Quadcopters

However, without doubt, quadcopters have seen the fastest development. The first versions (although piloted) were created in the 1920s. Prototypes were built by American inventor George de Bothezat and French engineer Étienne Oehmichen.

The concept of a flying apparatus with four propellers was at its peak during this time. Both inventors began implementing similar ideas on different continents without any prior discussion.

De Bothezat with his invention
De Bothezat with his invention

However, these mechanisms lacked stability. They could only undergo test flights and were not implemented in practice due to three main issues:

  • The transmission system was overly complex and prone to malfunction
  • Quadcopters lacked stability in flight and lost control even in light winds
  • The number of propellers was excessive (Oehmichen proposed eight), resulting in unsatisfactory manoeuvrability

De Bothezat’s copter could only operate under favourable conditions such as appropriate wind direction and force.

Oehmichen’s copter and inventor himself in the ‘cockpit’
Oehmichen’s copter and inventor himself in the ‘cockpit’
In November 1922, Oehmichen achieved a world record by flying 525 metres in his copter

Military Drones

Interest in drone technology resurfaced in the 1930s with the introduction of the DH.82B Queen Bee biplane drone. This followed technologies seen in earlier models such as the DH.60 Moth and DH.82 Tiger Moth.

The Queen Bee was controlled using a transmitter with vacuum electric lamps and an electromechanical relay. This drone was produced on an industrial scale but was primarily used for training pilots for aerial combat.

Another significant advancement in drone technology came from Germany's V-1 flying bomb, which influenced rocket technology and autonomous flying vehicles. From this point forward, drones were primarily employed by military forces.

Key models in drone history include the American Ryan Model 147E reconnaissance plane used during the Vietnam War and Soviet drones Tu-123, Tu-141, and Tu-143.

An unmanned intelligence drone Tu-123 Hawk
Credit: A. Shirokorad
An unmanned intelligence drone Tu-123 Hawk

A More Modern Approach to Drones

In 1982, Israel entered into what could be termed an ‘unmanned race’ during its conflict with Lebanon. The most popular models at that time were IAI Scout and Tadiran Mastiff. These drones were developed ‘from scratch’ without any prior experience.

The key characteristics of these drones included relatively short wingspans (below 5 metres) and lightweight designs (below 100 kilogrammes). This was made possible thanks to advancements in microelectronics.

Israel’s experience was quickly adopted by the U.S., which began developing high-tech military drones such as MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper capable of transmitting information in real-time. Most of these UAVs were equipped with missile weaponry.

In Russia, household drones gained popularity during the latter half of the 20th century. Initially resembling DIY models based on aircraft designs, further innovations emerged over time.

A drone above snow, Arctic drones
Credit: IA PrimaMedia

Since the 2000s, UAVs have been officially produced as mass technology for both military and civilian purposes. However, using drones in Russia currently requires a special licence.

Using UAVs in the Arctic

Using drones in the Arctic Zone has become a breakthrough in the development of these territories, according to specialists. UAVs are becoming an integral part of research in the most remote and hard-to-reach regions.

Thanks to drones, new discoveries are possible, as well as new forms of environmental monitoring. Researchers in the Arctic typically face extreme temperatures, harsh climates, and a lack of infrastructure. The latest UAVs do not encounter these issues.

Common tasks for a drone include gathering data on climate change, analysing glacier conditions, cartography, observing fauna, and researching sea routes.

A man piloting the drone in front of the vessel
Credit: Sergey Nikolaev, AARI's archives

Use of Drones in the Arctic

Currently, drones in the Arctic can assist with logistics, provide cellular connectivity, and deliver supplies to distant settlements. Experts state that using modern technologies allows for both the optimisation of these processes and a reduction in human impact on the fragile environment of the region.

One of the most notable UAV projects in the Arctic involves monitoring glacier conditions. Thanks to precise sensors and cameras, drones gather data about ice thawing and calculate changes in glacier geometry. These indicators are critical for understanding climate change and its impact on rising sea levels.

UAVs can conduct measurements in the same area multiple times. This capability allows researchers to track dynamics with precision and effectiveness that traditional methods cannot provide.

UAVs' Potential for the Arctic

Tests for Phaeton, an ice monitoring drone for the Northern Sea Route, were completed in 2023. This aerohybrid combines the characteristics of planes and helicopters while demonstrating a high level of efficiency and ease of use. In addition to this project, developer Airburg is preparing a large transport drone designed to move cargo weighing up to 500 kilogrammes in the Arctic.

Drones are also actively used to study marine fauna. They track animal migration routes, observe behaviour in natural environments, and assist in counting various endangered species. Using UAVs makes research less intrusive, which is crucial for the fragile ecosystem of the Arctic.

Polar bears

Technologically, UAVs open new opportunities for data analysis. Combining conventional and modern methods allows for the creation of complex models that enhance our understanding of the Arctic, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Drones monitor ice caps and open water, record changing temperatures and ice surfaces, and observe ecological catastrophes such as oil spills. Subsequently, this capability enables faster and more rational responses to emergencies.

With each passing year, drones are becoming ‘smarter’ by increasing flight distances and improving camera and sensor quality. The data collected is then integrated into systems analysing Arctic conditions.

Drones are also used in education; some institutions already conduct practical lessons and field trips to immerse students in research.

A drone
Credit: Sergey Nikolaev, AARI's archives

UAVs can also assist in situations involving illegal hunting and logging. If a drone detects a crime, it reports to authorities in real-time, connecting governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Currently, drones monitor critical infrastructure such as pipelines, search for maritime vessels, observe maritime borders and fishing regulations, conduct aerial photography, cartography, and explore natural resources as well as ice, water, and weather conditions.

More Space to Grow

According to experts, one of the primary targets for drones in the Arctic is advancing sensor technology. The efficiency of drones largely depends on how well they receive specific signals. Parameters such as geolocation, orientation, and speed rely on data from various sources. To enhance monitoring precision, engineers need to investigate sources of error and compensate with new algorithms.

A Russian post blue drone
Russian Post drone
Credit: Habr

Challenges for the Arctic Drones

When experts describe the High North conditions, they note that drones face harsh climatic conditions along with passive and active disturbances—this necessitates better manoeuvrability and precision. Russian and international UAV flights along routes Polar-1, Polar-2, Polar-3, and Polar-4 have demonstrated inefficiencies in this area as well as observation systems for the Arctic Ocean throughout different seasons.

Several challenges hinder development in this field: an inefficient legal framework regarding drones in Russia and poor meteorological conditions affecting navigation.

How the State and Businesses View Drones

These technologies are gaining popularity. Currently, companies such as Gazprom, Gazprom Oil, Rosneft, and Novatek monitor their infrastructure using UAVs.

At a state level, a special commission has been established to address issues related to UAV development. It prioritises development, manufacturing, certification, and operation of drones while also overseeing defence measures against criminal use of drones, educating specialists, and integrating drones into airspace alongside other vessels. According to a 2023 government document, the main goals are:

  • Localising drone manufacturing
  • Developing new technologies and component bases
  • Forming clusters for manufacturing and land infrastructure
  • Digitalising airspace

According to official estimates, by 2030 the drone market is expected to grow to 180 thousand units annually. Russia’s share is anticipated to reach 70%.

Currently, Russia has allocated 45.5 billion rubles (around $462 million) for development in this sector during 2025-2026 and has specifically issued subsidies and special measures to support developers and manufacturers of drones, signifying the continious development of drone technologies.

Rina Rumyantseva

Based on: PetrSU, Neftegaz, Scilead, Habr

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10.10.2024