Fact Check: NOAA’s hurricane hunters will be conducting clear air tests of some of those new platforms during the next three weeks.

Fact Check: "NOAA’s hurricane hunters will be conducting clear air tests of some of those new platforms during the next three weeks."

What We Know

The claim that NOAA’s hurricane hunters will be conducting clear air tests of new platforms is supported by recent announcements from NOAA. Specifically, NOAA has been actively deploying new uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to enhance hurricane forecasting capabilities. For instance, on October 19, 2023, NOAA successfully launched the Black Swift Technologies S0 UAS into Tropical Storm Tammy, marking a significant advancement in their operational capabilities (NOAA Deploys New Black Swift Drone into Tropical Storm ...). This UAS is designed to collect atmospheric data in conditions that are typically too dangerous for human crews, thereby improving the understanding of tropical cyclones.

NOAA has indicated that they plan to continue deploying these new UAS platforms alongside other operational aircraft to gather critical data from active tropical cyclones (NOAA). The agency's ongoing commitment to enhancing hurricane forecasting through innovative technologies suggests that clear air tests of these platforms are indeed part of their operational agenda.

Analysis

The reliability of the sources supporting this claim is high, as they originate from official NOAA communications and its associated research divisions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a reputable government agency responsible for weather forecasting and climate monitoring, making their announcements credible. Additionally, the specific article detailing the deployment of the Black Swift drone provides firsthand insights into the operational capabilities and future plans of NOAA's hurricane hunters (NOAA Deploys New Black Swift Drone into Tropical Storm ...).

While the claim does not specify the exact nature of the "clear air tests," the context provided by NOAA indicates that these tests will likely involve the UAS platforms being utilized in various atmospheric conditions to gather data. This aligns with NOAA's mission to improve hurricane forecasts and enhance public safety through better data collection (National Hurricane Center).

There are no contradicting sources that challenge the validity of NOAA's plans regarding the deployment of new platforms or the conduct of clear air tests. The information is consistent across multiple official NOAA communications, reinforcing the claim's accuracy.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that NOAA’s hurricane hunters will be conducting clear air tests of new platforms in the coming weeks is substantiated by credible sources from NOAA itself. The agency's ongoing deployment of innovative UAS technology, such as the Black Swift S0, supports the assertion that these tests are part of their operational strategy to enhance hurricane forecasting.

Sources

1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
2. National Hurricane Center
3. NOAA Deploys New Black Swift Drone into Tropical Storm ...
4. Weather | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
5. NOAA deploys drones in the ocean and atmosphere to advance hurricane forecasting
6. About our agency - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
7. After rugged flight, hurricane scientists create system to measure aircraft bumpiness
8. Climate - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration