To gain access to storm areas too dangerous for humans to fly through, scientists are beginning to use robotic aircraft, similar to this seven-foot-long, 33-pound Aerosonde4. The drone has a wingspan of less than 10 feet and can fly for more than 20 hours with a range of about 1,200 miles.
SOURCE: AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md. | Aircraft image courtesy of Aai Corp.; Hurricane Eyewall image by The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration; Graphic by The Washington Post - October 08, 2007