The T-28 storm penetrating aircraft was acquired by the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences in 1969 for use in hail studies and weather modification research. A formal Cooperative Agreement to operate as a National Science Foundation facility was formed in 1987. The T-28 was retired from active duty in 2005; however, plans are underway to acquire a new storm penetrating aircraft to replace it. Data acquired from various T-28 deployments are still being used in research studies today, and an archive of this data has been created.