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: +60^o to -90^o, 0.01^oC 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