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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #326022
Research Project: Biting Arthropod Surveillance and Control

Location: Mosquito and Fly Research

Title: Development of a new modular aerial spray system and night application capability for the U.S. Air Force

Author
item BREIDENBAUGH, MARK - United States Air Force
item HAAGSMA, KARL - United States Air Force
item Gibson, Seth
item Linthicum, Kenneth - Ken
item Aldridge, Robert

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2016
Publication Date: 2/11/2016
Citation: Breidenbaugh, M., Haagsma, K., Britch, S.C., Linthicum, K., Aldridge, R.L. 2016. Development of a new modular aerial spray system and night application capability for the U.S. Air Force [abstract]. American Mosquito Control Association Annual Meeting. February 7-11, 2016, Savannah, Georgia. Abstract No. 163.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The U.S. Air Force maintains a capability with the C130 aircraft to conduct aerial spray operations over large areas for controlling insects of medical importance. The current modular aerial spray system (MASS) is custom designed to support a variety of configurations from ultralow volume space sprays for adult mosquito control to ultrahigh volume deposition sprays for applying larvicides. However, the system is now 25 years old and many of the custom parts have become costprohibitive to replace. Congress has decided to fund a replacement MASS, taking advantage of the latest technological advances in the field including a larger volume payload, rotary atomizers, and night vision compatibility. This paper discusses the development of a new MASS and covers multiyear investigations with the C130 aircraft to determine the highest pesticide release altitude which still allowed for repeatable results regarding insect mortality.