Skyfora Streamsonde

Procurement Summary

The aircraft deployed system provides atmospheric profiles for wind, pressure, temperature, and humidity from the deployment altitude down to the surface. The system also (uniquely) provides measurements of sea surface temperature as well as atmospheric turbulence. This system also has exhibited the unique and desirable capability of reporting data after the sensor system has reached the surface for a finite period of time. These data can be used to initialize coupled numerical weather models to provide updated and or improved observations for more accurate weather prediction including in difficult-to-observe tropical cyclone and other severe weather environments. These "drop profiles" (aka dropsondes) can be gathered specifically anywhere the deployment aircraft (e.g. WP 3D; C-130) can travel. The system consists of a receiver, processor, and antennas to track the platform after release. The integrated display and keyboard unit supports menu-driven operation. The system can be mounted via a rack-type installation. After powering up, the dropsonde is initialized on the deployment aircraft and indicates its readiness prior to launch. The System mimics the AVAPS system used operationally by NOAA and Air Force reconnaissance aircraft. Data can be recorded during flight, transmitted back to the deployment aircraft using radio frequency in the 400-406 MHz range. These data can then be transmitted to operational weather centers worldwide using the Global Transmission System (GTS).

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