OTUS PROJECT
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
The OTUS Project is a self-funded nonprofit founded by students in meteorology and engineering. We leverage cutting-edge UAV technology, advanced software, and custom sensor systems to study tornadoes up close. Our mission is to protect lives and property by enhancing structural resilience through a deeper understanding of wind forces and by collecting thermodynamic data that improves predictive models and hazard forecasting.
Observations of Tornadoes by UAV Systems
TEAM OTUS
Nelson Tucker
President
Hailing from northern Virginia, Nelson has had a fascination with wind-based phenomena since young childhood. This interest only grew with time, and he has spent much of his life immersing himself in the science and history of volatile weather. Since 2020, Nelson has been a primary researcher/writer at the Tornado Talk LLC, a website devoted to documenting tornado history. In 2024, he was part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Currently, Nelson is in his second-to-last year as a student at Millersville University. He is majoring in Meteorology, with minors in Journalism and Emergency Management. After graduating, Nelson hopes to continue his studies and pursue a PhD. In his spare time, he enjoys weather photography and timelapsing, researching, mapping, and damage analysis.
Louis Tucker
Drone Builder and Ops Coordinator
Louis has flown drones his whole life and picked up drone racing in 2019. Thousands of flight hours later, he became the 2023 National Collegiate Drone Racing Champion and led his School to a 1st place finish in 2024. Older brother to Nelson, Louis learned about the challenges that researchers faced when gathering data near/inside a tornado, and figured that the OTUS concept was possible with the right engineering expertise to solve such issues. After pulling in Tanner, a close friend through drone racing, OTUS was born and in less than 3 months he flew the first drone inside a tornado in May 2024.
Tanner Beard
Lead Engineer
Tanner is a aerospace engineer based in Brownsville, TX with over 8 years experience building, flying and racing quads and fixed wing aircraft. He is a sponsored drone racing pilot, placing 2nd at the 2023 collegiate drone racing racing nationals. Tanner has transformed his house into a workshop with a mill, lathe, welder and 3d printers. Outside of drones, Tanner enjoys longboard dancing, surfing and storm chasing!
Erik Fox
Storm Chasing Expert
A retired Army veteran, seasoned storm chaser, meteorologist, and president of the National Storm Chaser Summit. Erik brings decades of field experience, leadership, and an unshakable dedication to the safety and future of the storm chasing community. As an essential mentor and safety lead for the chase, Erik safely guides OTUS to the most stunning intercepts possible.
Tax-Deductible Donations
All contributions are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, the International Documentary Association (IDA), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We are actively seeking partners to support this mission.
Ways to Support
Sponsorships
Sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to align with innovative science and impactful media. Supporters will be recognized across films, websites, social media, and events—highlighting a shared commitment to resilience, innovation, and public safety.
In-Kind Support
In-kind contributions—such as vehicles, lodging, travel, equipment, gear, and technology—are essential to offsetting our budget and making these projects possible.
THE SCIENCE
Our current efforts are focused on measuring the 3D wind loads and accompanying thermodynamics within and surrounding tornadoes at the near-surface level. In May 2024, OTUS proved its sUAS (capability of a small Uncrewed Aircraft System) capability by operating and maneuvering through a multi-vortex tornado under the complete control of the pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accepted and approved our waiver to conduct operations in and around tornadoes.
In 2025, the project expanded its field campaign significantly—intercepting 8 tornadoes with 11 drone penetrations, capturing high-resolution thermodynamic data and flight telemetry to inform the development of next-generation wind sensors.
12
Drone Intercepts
9
Drone Intercepts
| Date | Location | EF Rating | # Drones Inside |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/23/2024 | Duke, OK | EF2 | 1 |
| 5/16/2025 | Crowder, MO | EF3 | 2 |
| 5/18/2025 | Higgins, TX | EF1 | 2 |
| 5/18/2025 | Arnett, OK | EF3 | 1 |
| 5/23/2025 | Hillrose, CO | EF1 | 1 |
| 6/05/2025 | Morton, TX | EF2 | 1 |
| 6/20/2025 | Spiritwood, ND | EF2 | 2 |
| 6/20/2025 | Fort Ransom, ND | EF2 | 1 |
| 6/22/2025 | Grygla, MN | EF1 | 1 |
Center/Core Tornado Intercepts
FPV RESEARCH DRONES
Each drone used by the OTUS Project is a custom-engineered system equipped with advanced weather sensors designed to capture thermodynamic data around tornadoes. In partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), these drones also feature a first-of-its-kind vertical wind speed sensor, pushing the boundaries of storm data collection.
In 2026, the OTUS Project aims to deploy over 20 cutting-edge drones for research and tornado intercepts during an intensive 8-week storm season.
-
Aerospace engineer and systems thinker behind the OTUS drone architecture
-
World-class FPV drone pilot and builder specializing in high-performance storm intercept drones
-
Engineered for extreme durability in the most violent weather conditions on Earth
-
Item descriptionEquipped with onboard sensors to gather never-before-seen scientific insights from inside tornadoes
-
Fully authorized for use in regulated U.S. airspace for research and documentation
RESEARCH VEHICLE
Intercepting tornadoes and deploying OTUS’s specialized drone systems demands a purpose-built research vehicle.
In 2026, OTUS will launch an 8-week field deployment, and significant vehicle modifications are needed to ensure success. The vehicle must withstand extreme weather, navigate gravel, mud, and dirt roads, and remain fully operational in some of the most ferocious storm environments on Earth.
This isn’t just transportation — it’s a mobile command center. It will be outfitted with custom antennas, satellite connectivity, redundant power systems, and secure integration for our wireless drone networks. These upgrades are essential to safely and effectively launch drones into tornadoes and transmit real-time storm data to our team and collaborators.
Your support directly helps fund these critical upgrades and ensures OTUS can safely pursue its mission of advancing tornado science and saving lives.
