Typhoon airborne observational field campaigns in the Western North Pacific: Successes and future prospects

An overview of tropical cyclone (TC) observational field campaigns across the globe is provided, with an emphasis on field campaigns in the Western North Pacific basin. A history of airborne experiments is first presented for both the Atlantic and Western North Pacific basins. Some noteworthy research results arising from field campaigns in the Western North Pacific basin in the past 10-15 years are then discussed. The current airborne capabilities for monitoring typhoons are discussed. Finally, a case for an international typhoon field campaign in the Western North Pacific is presented. Challenges and opportunities for such an international field campaign are described as a part of this discussion.