The two WP-3D airplanes operated by NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center
constitute a unique resource for airborne severe storm research. They
are civilian versions of the U.S. Navy's P-3 four-engine maritime
reconnaissance airplane.
In addition to the weather-avoidance radar mounted in the nose, they carry
two scientific radars. The P-3s also determine in-situ precipitation size
spectra and phase with laser imaging instruments.
The P-3s can deploy dropsondes to measure wind and thermodynamic properties
and winds below flight level and sense surface winds remotely with active
and passive microwave instruments.