NOAA Hurricane Hunters have been leveraging aircraft and in-aircraft technology to obtain data about Hurricane Milton. Credit: OMAO/NOAA/TMX
NOAA Hurricane Hunters are actively flying missions toward Hurricane Milton, a severe storm swirling toward Florida's west-central coast.
The National Hurricane Center, which uses data from NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter flights, announced in a public advisory Tuesday that the storm will make landfall on the west coast of Florida on Wednesday night. After briefly weakening, it became a Category 5 storm again on Tuesday.
The flight conducted by NOAA Hurricane Hunters against Hurricane Milton marks the latest example of this daring group taking to the skies to support research with important hurricane prediction models and data collection.
The group is using three aircraft, two from Lockheed Martin and one from Gulfstream, to fly in, around and over the hurricane, the agency said.
Some stores in Florida have nearly empty Milton barrels heading toward the coast.
NOAA's two Lockheed WP-3D Orion aircraft are equipped with a “unique suite of scientific instruments, radars, and recording systems to measure the atmosphere, Earth, and its environment,” NOAA's Office of Marine and Air Operations said. There is. said.
Lockheed WP-3D Orion Hurricane at the National Hurricane Center
The agency said this includes Doppler radar systems in the lower fuselage and tail that can give an “MRI-like look” at certain storms, as well as deployable GPS drop-wind sondes that measure characteristics such as pressure and wind speed. It is said to include.
Powered by four engines, the turboprop WP-3D Orion aircraft can fly up to 3,800 nautical miles and reach altitudes of 27,000 feet, and are nicknamed “Kermit” and “Miss Piggy.”
Cockpit of WP-3D Orion during NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight through Hurricane Ian (Nick Underwood/NOAA)
According to a Tuesday There was no sign that he would do so.
NOAA Hurricane Hunter also operates a Gulfstream IV-SP jet known as “Gonzo.”
Once deployed, the aircraft typically flies around and over hurricanes, collecting critical high-altitude data using GPS drop wind zones and tail Doppler radar to help forecasters influence hurricane movement. It allows us to map the steering current that we give.” According to NOAA's Office of Marine Aviation Services. It can fly as high as 45,000 feet.
NOAA Gulfstream IV-SP view (NOAA)
NOAA's Gulfstream IV-SP has been busy operating Milton, making several flights over the past few days, according to FlightAware data.
The Air Force Reserve also has its own Hurricane Hunters, attached to the 403rd Wing's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, who support the NHC. They are using 10 WC-130J Hercules planes, also supplied by Lockheed Martin, for Hurricane flights.
Hurricane Milton leaves Florida residents running out of gas as they flee the storm
Like NOAA Hurricane Hunters, they have been investigating Hurricane Milton throughout their mission.
NOAA plans to introduce new aircraft to its hurricane hunter fleet.
In late September, the agency announced it had awarded Lockheed Martin a contract that “includes the acquisition of two C-130J Hercules aircraft, NOAA-specific design efforts, and options for additional aircraft.”
The two “Next Generation Hurricane Hunter” aircraft will replace Kermit and Miss Piggy in 2030, NOAA said. It is expected that there will be more room to carry scientific payloads, as well as additional equipment and technology to increase data collection capabilities for hurricane and other research.
NOAA announced a contract for two C-130J Hercules aircraft in September. This is an artist's rendering. (NOAA)
During the summer, NOAA said it plans to acquire a second “fully modified” Gulfstream G550 “specially configured.” hurricane forecast Other initiatives as part of existing agreements with Gulfstream.
Hurricane Milton, Florida homeowners and insurance market brace for impact
The G550 jets NOAA receives are expected to be replaced by the current Gulfstream IV-SP in 2025.
'Getting' These highly capable aircraft “This is a major step forward in recapitalizing NOAA's aircraft fleet, which forecasters, researchers, and decision makers rely on for lifesaving information,” said Nancy Hann, NOAA's Officer Corps and Vice Admiral for Marine and Air Operations. He talked about the two G550s.
