The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is testing the use of an Aerosonde Mark 3 drone aircraft to fly into the heart of hurricanes for more accurate storm predictions. Last summer this drone was used to fly into Hurricane Noel, and were able to fly lower and stay longer within the storm than any previous mission, but purposely sacrificed the plane in the process.
NOAA plans to fly more research missions this summer out of Barbados. The carbon-fiber planes have a wingspan of nine feet, weigh under 30 pounds, have a fuel efficiency of 700 mpg, and cost under $100,000.
