Lockheed Wp 3d Orion. N42RF Lockheed WP3D Orion United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration This elite squad of pilots, engineers and meteorologists from both NOAA and the Air Force Reserve fly into some of the worst weather on the planet to collect valuable real-time data about a tropical system. Among them are two Lockheed WP-3D Orion, four engine turbo-prop aircraft, which are mainly used for severe storms and other weather related research.Starting in 1994, these aircraft have been temporarily converted into highly sophisticated airborne air chemistry and aerosol.
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NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center at MacDill AFB, FL maintains and operates NOAA's aircraft assets The NOAA airplanes, N42RF and N43RF, were commissioned in the late 1970s.
When it comes to hurricane forecasting, NOAA has many tools. The WP-3D has a payload of 62,000 lbs and a gross takeoff weight of 135,000 lbs They fly into the center of storms, passing through the eyewall several times to collect data to help improve intensity forecasts.
. One of the planes used by NOAA's Hurricane Hunters is the Lockheed WP-3d Orion - a four-engine turboprop that is used to punch through the eye of a hurricane. The ten Lockheed-Martin WC-130J aircraft and crews are part of the 403rd Wing, based at Keesler.
. These highly-capable four-engine turboprops also support a wide variety of atmospheric and air chemistry missions 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron 403rd Wing, Air Force Reserve Command