WC-130J Weatherbird

Any Storm, Anywhere

The world’s most powerful meteorologist, the WC-130J is configured with palletized weather instrumentation for penetration of tropical disturbances and storms, hurricanes and winter storms to obtain data on movement, size and intensity. There are only minor differences between the Hurricane Hunter aircraft and any other C-130J. Operated by U. S.  Air Force Reserve Command, the WC-130J usually penetrates hurricanes at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet to collect meteorological data in the vortex, or eye, of the storm. The data collected by the WC-130J makes the advance warning of hurricanes possible and increases the accuracy of hurricane predictions and warnings by as much as 30 percent.

Characteristics   ___

Primary Function

Weather Reconnaissance

Crew

Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer(SFMR) GPS Dropsonde Windfinding Systemand specialized weather equipment

Armament

none

Maximum Takeoff Weight

Five (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, aerial reconnaissance weather officer and weather reconnaissance loadmaster/dropsonde system operator)

Speed

417 mph (Mach 0.59; 362 knots per hour) at 22,000 feet

Range

1,841 miles (1,600 nautical miles) with payload

Contacts   ___

 

Media Contact

Stephanie Stinn
Office: (770) 494-0489
Cell: (678) 761-6687