The Halo Microwave Package (HAMP) comprises microwave radiometers with 26 channels in the frequency range between 20 and 183 GHz and a 35 GHz cloud radar. This instrument suite was designed to be deployed on the German research aircraft HALO (High Altitude LOng range research aircraft). Synergistic analysis of measurements from these instruments allow for improved detection of hydrometeors both via the emission and scattering of radiation. HAMP measurements are and can be used for satellite validation and model evaluation studies. HAMP’s main advantages are a high vertical and temporal resolution. Vertical resolution of radar data is approximately 30 m and temporal resolution of both instruments is approximately 1 s.
Research for the HAMP project was funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG), within the the priority program “High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft (HALO)” SPP 1294, the Max-Planck-Society, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).