Durand Lecture highlights 30-year journey deploying autonomous drones to understand tornadoes

Brian Argrow is being honored for his research into tornadoes and supercell thunderstorms using uncrewed aerial systems. 

Argrow, a National Academy of Engineering member and distinguished professor in the Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, delivered the 2026 Durand Lecture for Public Service at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics SciTech Forum 2026.

AIAA SciTech is an annual international aerospace conference. This year it was held in Florida. The Durand Lecture is given annually by a leading researcher who has made notable achievements that have led directly to the understanding and application of the science and technology of aeronautics and astronautics for the betterment of humankind.

Argrow is an expert on the development and operation of uncrewed aerial systems, more commonly known as drones. He has led multiple field campaigns using them to study supercell thunderstorms that spawn tornadoes. His work is designed to improve weather modeling and warnings as well as increase the state-of-the-art in autonomous systems.

Read more and watch the full lecture at Aerospace America...