Hurricane Observations by Uncrewed Systems

Abstract On 30 September 2021, a saildrone uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) was steered into Category 4 Hurricane Sam, the most intense storm of 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. It measured significant wave heights up to 14 m (maximum height 27 m) and near-surface winds exceeding 55 s −1 . This first time in more than seven decades observations that real USV transmitted scientific data, images, videos dynamic ocean near hurricane’s eyewall. The part five-saildrone deployment NOAA Observations Mission. These saildrones observed atmospheric oceanic conditions five other tropical storms, which two became hurricanes. Such inside cyclones help advance understanding prediction hurricanes, with ultimate goal saving lives protecting property. pioneered new practice coordinating measurements by saildrones, underwater gliders, airborne dropsondes make simultaneous near-collocated air-sea interface, immediately below, atmosphere above. experimental opened door era using remotely piloted systems observe one extreme phenomena on Earth way previously impossible. article provides an overview this mission, describes how were coordinated observing platforms, presents preliminary results from these demonstrate their potential utility motivate further data analysis, offers vision future combined platforms.