Dropsonde Characteristics

Global Hawk dropsondes utilize the same sensors as the dropsondes used on manned aircraft but are smaller and lighter to facilitate increased capacity.

  • Size: 4.5 cm diameter x 30.5 cm length
  • Mass: ~167 g
  • Fall rate: ~11 m/s at surface
  • Vaisala RS-92 radiosonde sensor characteristics
    • Temperature: +60o to -90o, 0.01oC resolution
    • Humidity: 0 to 100%, 0.1% resolution
    • Pressure: 1080 to 3 mb, 0.01 mb resolution
  • Winds based on OEM GPS receiver and position (4 Hz update rate)
  • Stable cone parachute design
  • Remote control of power on/off and sonde release
  • Designed for extreme environmental conditions