OTUS Project

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's an @otusproject.bsky.social drone! Had a visitor (not from another planet 😁) today to do some weather instrument testing for spring 🌪️ 2027!

Our ground view of the Mattoon, WI tornado today!

No words. Here is a peak at one of our most incredible drone flights around a #tornado to date near Tulliby Lake, AB. This will likely be one of our last intercepts of the season, thank you so much to everyone for following along! #stormchasing #nature #weather

Erik Fox hand-launching our OTUS drone into the Wyoming, IA tornado on April 14th, 2026. 🌪️ This was the first ever drone flight in history through a #tornado that was captured by a 360 camera! More to follow as we process the footage. Thanks to Edgar ONeal for this incredible shot!

Inside the Wyoming, IA tornado today!

This shot was taken moments before our research drone entered the Arnett, OK tornado on May 18th, 2025!

An UPDATE on the State of OTUS Project Data Science: Read the full update here: (www.theotusproject.com/updates) -The OTUS team

Our world-first night vision tornado drone intercept of the Fort Ransom, ND EF2 on June 20. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/g_6qMXHlsqw

Looking inside the powerful Spiritwood, ND wedge tornado near peak size and strength. This was our second flight into it on June 20. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/akQbDX-MMlo

Saw a multi-vortex tornado this afternoon at Parmelee SD, had an @otusproject.bsky.social deployment on this

Narrowly missed getting a drone inside this tornado south of Johnstown/Ainsworth, NE yesterday evening. We will be on the hunt for the next few days. Photo taken by team member @tornadostudy.bsky.social

Part 1 of our Spiritwood tornado flights, inside the tornadogenesis and growth of this monster. Watch the *FULL* video at this link: youtu.be/b9IicWFL0VQ

Inside the EF3+ Spiritwood, ND wedge tornado near peak intensity from our research drone!

Our first flight yesterday was inside the tornadogenesis and growth phase of a soon-to-be wedge tornado near Spiritwood and Jamestown, ND. Data and more video will be shared as we process material.

🚨HELP NEEDED 🚨 One of the two drones flown through this tornado has not yet been recovered. It holds immensely valuable data. We are exploring all avenues to locate it. Please let us know if you find this drone or can assist. Last known position at 46°56'28.0"N, 98°25'56.3"W

Night drone view about to pass through a tornado near Fort Ransom, ND this evening collecting thermodynamic and wind data

2 drones making passes through center of large wedge, multi-vortex tornado Spiritwood ND

Inside the entire tornadogenesis of the mile-wide Morton, TX, EF2 tornado. Watch the *FULL* video here: youtu.be/OaNBkp1xWfg

Our view deploying on a tornado at Spearman TX, which became slightly too far to reach while repositioning away from hail.

Our research drone collected data through tornadogenesis near Morton, TX yesterday, including this subvortex early in its life.

We deployed on two tornadoes today, including one of our longest lasting flights to date inside of this massive dusty tornado near Morton, TX.

Inside of an EF1-rated tornado and severe thunderstorm winds near Willard, CO on May 23. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/nRc38pZ0E5s

A birds-eye view from our research drone of a tornado as it struck the town of Crowder, MO on May 16th. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/P3KC8TtBros

An extraordinary perspective of an anticyclonic tornado near Higgins, TX by our research drone on May 18th. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/MjEX51Qmz3o

Never seen before perspective of a tornado in Arnett, OK by our research drone on May 18th. Watch the full video here on YouTube: youtu.be/NGD2e741Riw

The eye of the Arnett, OK tornado, captured by one of our UAVs as it collected scientific data on the environment within.

An incredible look inside a tornado from our research drone of structures being destroyed in Crowder, Missouri

Watched tornado strike Crowder from inside UAV interceptors, 2 drones inside this tornado at once as buildings were blown apart collecting thermodynamic and wind data.

Narrowly missed deploying on this tornado on our first day of full scale operations - heading east for hopefully better luck tomorrow!

Final preparations are wrapping up! From May 14, we will operate for several weeks collecting thermodynamic and wind data in tornadoes, and support NSF ICECHIP hail research. Our 4/27 chase was a final pre-test for data collection, flying on this tornado near Hyannis, NE:

OTUS deployed multiple times on a tornado family yesterday evening through central Nebraska. Out again today looking for more intercepts. Pictured is the drone heading to a tornado north of Hyannis, NE. #newx

The OTUS Project is preparing for tornado deployments on a volatile storm system that will move through the Plains and Midwest Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Our deployment Saturday was an excellent dry run preparing for expanded data collection efforts later this spring. We tested new systems and refined our process before we ramp things up. The first of hopefully many storm chases this year! Below: the Taylorsville, MS tornado.

The OTUS Project briefly deployed on a tornado yesterday, but opted not to intercept due heavy precipitation and terrain concerns. Shown below is our launch toward the Taylorsville, MS tornado.

The OTUS Project is gearing up for UAV deployments Saturday on a potential tornado outbreak. We will provide updates on our progress through social media.

The OTUS Project has launched a website! You can find us here: www.theotusproject.com We have created a donation portal to support our work. After many requests at the NSCS summit following our presentation, we are also beginning to add posters of our drone intercepts.

It’s been a wild time at the 2025 National Storm Chaser Summit for the OTUS team. We’ve waited a long time to share about our adventures, and we will share plenty more online. We can’t wait to get back out and chase!