Sea Ice Scout
Surface Effect Ice Scout
When deploying personnel or equipment onto sea ice, it is essential to know it is thick enough before landing or setting foot on it. However, physical properties unique to sea ice currently prevent the use of ice penetrating radars for this purpose. Airborne electromagnetic (EM) sounding is the only proven “stand-off” technique capable of accurate, real-time measurement of sea ice thickness. The Surface Effect Ice Scout (Sea Ice Scout) is a vehicle system designed for providing decision-ready sea ice and snow information for integrated ice operations. It combines state-of-the-art uncrewed Flying Ship technology to fly close to the surface with the Lightweight Airborne Snow and Sea Ice Thickness Observing System (LASSITOS) for simultaneously measuring ice thickness, snow depth, and surface roughness – critical information when planning landing sites, drop zones or travel routes on sea ice.
Meet Our Team
Doug Isaacson boasts a richly diverse background, encompassing over 30 years of entrepreneurial acumen, 20 years of public service, and 40 years of devoted family life. As CEO of Minto Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Seth De Ya Ah Corporation, he spearheads the creation of teams and partnerships to drive economic growth in Rural Alaska and beyond, benefiting communities for generations. Doug, an Air Force veteran, holds a BA in Linguistics from the University of Washington and an MDiv from Western Seminary. His career has traversed Credit, Financial Services, and Public Office, including roles as Mayor of North Pole, Alaska, and as a State Legislator. Recognized for his expertise, he has certificates from the U.S. Army War College and Air War College National Security Seminars and the Legislative Energy Horizons Institute Energy Policy Planning Program.
Throughout his career, Matt has held many leadership positions within state government, federal contracting, and the natural resource industry. He spent more than 20 years with NANA and its family of companies and three years with the Aleut Corporation. Most recently, Matt served on Governor Mike Dunleavy’s Alaska Development Team and was the Director of Development for the Commerce Department
Dr. Achille Capelli is currently a researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a background on both sea ice and snow research. He has spearheaded development, testing, and calibration of the LEM sub-system of the LASSITOS system for measuring sea ice thickness. He formerly developed with GNSS and radar systems for measuring snow depth and other properties.
Dr. Hans-Peter Marshall is Professor of Geophysics at Boise State University. As a snow scientist and glaciologist, he uses geophysics and engineering tools to study the cryosphere. A major focus of his research involves quantifying the spatial variability of the seasonal snow cover on land and sea ice. He is a world-leading snow expert in developing airborne snow radar. He led the development of the LSR sub-system of LASSITOS.
Mike Hatfield is an electrical and computing engineer, working with UAF’s Alaska Center for Unmanned Aerial System Integration (ACUASI) and teaching for UAF’s College of Engineering and Mines. He uses unmanned aircraft systems to monitor mine safety, operation and emergency response. His focus is on the integration of unmanned aircraft systems and unmanned ground vehicles into the university’s scientific research and student academic programs, as well as STEM outreach.
Dr. Andy Mahoney is a Research Professor of Geophysics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks specializing in the study of sea ice. He has over 20 years of field experience in the Arctic and Antarctic and is recognized a leading expert in the measurement of sea ice thickness. Among his current research activities, he leads the National Science Foundation-funded LASSITOS (Lightweight Airborne Snow and Sea Ice Thickness Observing System) project. Dr. Mahoney also serves as the drifting sea ice Subject Matter Expert for the US Navy’s biennial Operation Ice Camp activities.
Bill Peterson is the Chief Executive Officer for Ground Effect Technology, LLC, and the group of Flying Ship Companies. Bill holds an Aerospace Engineer degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an Executive MBA from George Mason University. He is accomplished in developing, managing, and executing corporate strategy, business capture, and economic development activities for a multitude of US and UK aerospace and defense companies.
Gloria Ramirez-Hickey is a highly skilled Program Manager with extensive expertise in military command and control (C2) and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Throughout her 20-year Air Force career, she has a proven track record of securing essential programs worth over $330M. She is a trusted professional known for her strategic thinking, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. Gloria has a M.A. in Human Relations and M.A. in International Relations and Foreign policy and is a member of the Project Management Institute.
