Bradley Praises 'Smurf'
Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, speaks at a press conference in Washington D.C. in late May about the Citizen Airmen of the Air Force Reserve "Hurricane Hunters" and the new Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer. Affectionately known as a "smurf", this advance in technology will continuously measure the winds on the surface.
"This year and next year, we are adding a very nice new piece of equipment to our aircraft that will help us more accurately determine the surface winds at all times," said Bradley
Bradley said the data collected by the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron increases the accuracy of the National Hurricane Center Forecast by up to 30 percent, which is sure to rise with the use of the "smurf."