Ocean Drones Brave Hurricane Milton to Gather Critical Data

An Alameda-based company, Saildrone, Inc., has been using unmanned ocean drones to monitor Hurricane Milton, providing crucial information to NOAA. According to ABC7 News, these drones are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions while collecting valuable data.

Saildrone: The Unmanned Hurricane Hunter

Saildrone’s ocean drones are bright like buoys but function like sailboats. They’re robust enough to handle the intense conditions of a Category 5 hurricane.

Robbie Dean, VP of Program Delivery at Saildrone, Inc., explains, “We’re so happy to be able go out into the ocean to these very remote places and collect persistent data.”

The company has deployed about 50 drones globally, with 12 specifically monitoring hurricane conditions in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. These drones are equipped with scientific sensors to gather crucial data.

Braving the Storm: Saildrone 1083

One Saildrone, identified as 1083, provided valuable insights into Hurricane Milton.

Dean reports, “We were able to power up our video camera in the middle of that hurricane – just for a little short clip to see what it’s like at the sea surface during a very intense hurricane like that.”

The drones collect vital information such as barometric pressure, wind strength, and ocean salinity. This data helps scientists understand the rapid intensification of hurricanes.

Design for Durability

Saildrones are built to withstand extreme conditions. Dean explains their design:

“You can see under the drone is a keel. That keeps the fin below the drone is weighted with lead. And so, the wind that the sail drone experiences above the surface is counteracted by that big lead fin below the drone.”

These ocean drones harness wind and solar power for operation, with a battery pack powering the onboard sensors. This allows them to remain operational for extended periods.

Safety and Science Combined

The use of unmanned drones in hurricane monitoring prioritizes safety while advancing scientific understanding.

“The uncrewed nature keeps personnel safe and enables our customers to get the data that they need in these very remote and tough locations,” Dean notes.

Ultimately, the goal is to use this data to improve hurricane forecasting and mitigation strategies.

Dean emphasizes, “We hope the data we collect is powerful for scientists to develop ideas on how we can reduce the risk for damage and loss of life.”

DroneXL’s Take

The use of Saildrones in hurricane monitoring showcases the incredible potential of drones for good. This technology not only keeps human researchers safe but also provides unprecedented access to data from the heart of these powerful storms. As we’ve seen in recent drone technology developments, the applications for unmanned systems continue to expand, offering innovative solutions to complex challenges.

The Saildrone project demonstrates how drones can play a crucial role in scientific research and potentially save lives by improving our understanding and prediction of natural disasters.

What are your thoughts on using ocean drones to study hurricanes? Share your opinion in the comments below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​