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English: A group of NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists are teaming up this month for an airborne mission focused on studying severe storm processes and intensification. The HOPE-EPOCH field campaign will utilize NASA’s Global Hawk autonomous aircraft to study storms in the Northern Hemisphere to learn more about how they intensify as they brew over the ocean.

NASA leads the campaign through integration of the science payload onto the Global Hawk and maintains operational oversight for the six planned 24-hour flights. NOAA will incorporate data from dropsondes, devices dropped from aircraft to measure storm conditions, into National Weather Service (NOAA) operational models to improve storm track and intensity forecasts that will be provided to the public. NOAA first used the Global Hawk for Hurricane Gaston in 2016.

The ability of the Global Hawk to autonomously fly long distances, remain aloft for extended periods and carry large payloads brings a new capability to the science community for measuring, monitoring and observing remote locations not feasible or practical with piloted aircraft or space satellites. go.nasa.gov/2wa91Pz