New Wind Measurement Capabilities With The High-Altitude Imaging Wind and Rain Profiler

Wind measurements are crucial for understanding and forecasting tropical storms since they are closely tied to the overall dynamics of the storm. The High-Altitude Imaging Wind and Rain Airborne Profiler (HIWRAP) is a dual-frequency (Ka- and Ku-band), dual-beam (300 and 400 incidence angle), conical scan, solid-state transmitter-based system, designed for operation on the high-altitude (20 km) Global Hawk UAV. HIWRAP, much like the lower-altitude IWRAP system that flies on the NOAA P3's, will be able to image the winds through volume backscattering from clouds and precipitation, as well as ocean surface winds through scatterometry. These measurements from higher altitudes above storms, will be useful for providing higher spatial and temporal resolution than obtained by current satellites and lower-altitude instrumented aircraft. HIWRAP has two beams similar to QuikScat, but at lower incidence angles (300 and 400). HIWRAP will be conducting preliminary test flights early in 2010 on the NASA WB-57 manned aircraft (60-65kft ceiling), and on the Global Hawk in late Spring 2010. This presentation will discuss the status of HIWRAP and its planned use in hurricanes research.