According to the USAF, the addition of the weather reconnaissance data is expected to greatly enhance weather situational awareness in data sparse and data denied areas. It should also improve predictive battlespace awareness via the new inputs to weather forecast models, specifically, resulting in more accurate tropical cyclone and weapon system performance forecasts.

Scheduled to commence later this month, the initial trials will be at Aerosonde's North American operations site at the NASA Wallops Island facility, followed by further trials in an operational environment from Guam in the Western Pacific.

The trials will evaluate weather sensors and aircraft performance, compared to requirements, and will assess the Aerosonde's ability to improve forecast accuracy by disseminating observations into numerical weather model databases.

The UAVs will be operated and maintained by Aerosonde.

The Guam trials will mark a return to the area after a five year gap. In 2000, Aerosonde flew a series of meteorological observations sponsored by the Japanese Frontier Research System for Global Change in convective weather in a region 200 km south of Guam.

Dr Greg Holland, President Aerosonde North America, said "the Aerosonde aircraft was initially designed as a meteorological observation system, and we believe its outstanding record in this role over many years was a key to winning the Weatherscout contract."

In the meteorological role, the current Mk 3 Aerosonde has the capability to undertaken overnight missions, allowing extended monitoring of weather events. Data can be provided in near real time to weather authorities by worldwide satellite communications.

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