Results and Lessons Learned from the First Flights of the HIWRAP on the Global Hawk During GRIP

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) flew on the NASA Global Hawk for the first time during the Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) field program. HIWRAP is a dual-frequency (Ka- and Ku-band), dual-beam (30 and 40 degrees incidence angle), conical scan radar. Using the conical scan geometry, HIWRAP can map horizontal winds over the scanned region as well as provide ocean surface winds through scatterometry. HIWRAP conducted five science flights during GRIP over three storms (Matthew, Karl, and Earl). This presentation will discuss early wind and reflectivity analysis results from Matthew , Karl, and Earl, as well as the current status of HIWRAP, and its planned participation in the Hurricane Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) during the 2012 hurricane season.