The large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Wing Loong-2H has successfully conducted cloud seeding to enhance rainfall and snowfall in the Tibetan Plateau.
Wing Loong-2H detected clouds and successfully performed artificial rainmaking, increasing snowfall in the Aemye Ma-chhen Range in the Sanjiangyuan region of the plateau, as reported by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) on October 3.
This operation is part of a collaborative effort involving the Weather Modification Center, the Meteorological Observation Center of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Chengdu UAV Systems Co., Ltd., and several other organizations.
Wing Loong-2H takes off over the Tibetan Plateau. (Photo: CMG).
According to AVIC, the large UAV has been equipped with catalytic devices to enhance rainfall. It also carries rain cloud detection equipment and provides data for studies on the characteristics of rain clouds over the Tibetan Plateau, as well as the impacts of rainfall enhancement.
This operation will facilitate research into the mechanisms of rainfall on the Tibetan Plateau and related catalytic technologies.
During a test lasting approximately five hours, the rainfall enhancement activity was estimated to have affected an area of 15,000 km2, AVIC reported.
In addition to generating rain, this operation of the Wing Loong-2H also aims to increase snowfall and ice coverage at typical glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau. This is significant for sustaining life and agricultural production in the region, as well as exploring new ways to address climate change.
Prior to this experiment, another member of the large civilian UAV family, the Wing Loong, also conducted meteorological observation tests at high altitudes in the Tibetan Plateau.
In the next steps, the CMA will promote the construction of an expanded aerial meteorological observation system based on UAVs to protect the ecology of the plateau. AVIC is committed to continuing the development of UAVs and other advanced aviation products for weather modification efforts, improving livelihoods, and enhancing the well-being of the people.
