Rumor: Japan to start typhoon recon flights?

[MClarkson]

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20160611_19/

https://weather.com/news/weather/news/typhoon-observation-western-pacific-recon-aircraft

The news stories I could find are a bit thin. Anyone have more info on this? Think these are purely research flights or operational recon flights?

 

[J Renken]

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20160611_19/

https://weather.com/news/weather/news/typhoon-observation-western-pacific-recon-aircraft

The news stories I could find are a bit thin. Anyone have more info on this? Think these are purely research flights or operational recon flights?

Only the weather.com link works now. I guess the Japanese source doesn't cache their stories?