The Chinese official media released a story announcing that China successfully completed its first typhoon observation test using a large high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Aug 2.
By using the UAV for multiple marine meteorological observation tests, the China Meteorological Administration can more accurately track typhoons and issue forecasts.
The first typhoon detection test flight was conducted on Sunday, when Typhoon Sinlaku hit South China’s Hainan Province. The test marked a breakthrough in China’s typhoon detection and forecast system.
The drone took off from Bo’ao Airport in South China’s Hainan Province, dropped 30 sondes from an altitude of 10,000 meters, and conducted a multidimensional scan of Typhoon Sinlaku together with its millimeter wave radar, as observation data on factors including temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and hydrometeors was sent back to the ground in real time, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
Typhoons cause 29.5 billion yuan ($4.22 billion) in economic losses to China every year, and drones have the potential to significantly improve typhoon forecasts, reports said.
The video shown on China Global Television Network can be viewed here.
The Cloud Shadow drone, which was produced by the Chengdu aircraft company is a high-altitude high-speed multifunction drone installed with a high-end turbojet engine.
Source: China Global Television Network