Miss Piggy Active, Too

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chased hurricane data this past season in a highly modified P-3 Orion nicknamed Miss Piggy. Data is collected from dropsondes, small instrumented tubes parachuted from the aircraft. On their way down, the dropsondes send back wind, speed, temperature, humidity, and pressure information used by hurricane forecasters to decide if the storm is getting weaker or stronger. Data gathered contributes to weather prediction and scientific study. NOAA has operated the WP-3D Orion since 1977.