Post date: Jun 03, 2013 12:22:0 PM
Oklahoma State University researchers are building unmanned aircrafts that can fly directly into storms and send real-time data to emergency workers and forecasters.
The Kevlar-reinforced drones weigh up to 50 pounds and are controlled by operators with either a laptop or an iPad.
Designed to enter the eye of the storm, the machines will detect the formation of a tornado by collecting data on temperature, humidity and pressure.The information would be sent in real-time to emergency workers and meteorologists, increasing lead times in severe weather forecasts.
The researchers believe a basic model of the weather drone could retail for as little as $10,000.
SOURCES: ABC News
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/reality-catches-sci-fi-storm-drones-19304929#.Uav3Q0Bgd8G