VDM since recon seems to be broken. Main thing I noted was the relatively small 8nm diameter eye. This could help the storm continue to rapidly intensify, but will have to be replaced at some point down the road.
Product: Air Force Vortex Message (URNT12 KNHC)Transmitted: 18th day of the month at 16:50ZAgency: United States Air Force Aircraft: Lockheed WC-130J Hercules with reg. number AF97-5305 Storm Number & Year: 15 in 2017Storm Name: Maria (flight in the North Atlantic basin)Mission Number: 2Observation Number: 22 ( See all messages of this type for this mission. )A. Time of Center Fix: 18th day of the month at 16:35:00ZB. Center Fix Coordinates: 14°45'N 60°14'W (14.75N 60.2333W)B. Center Fix Location: 56 statute miles (90 km) to the E (80°) from Fort-de-France, Martinique (France).C. Minimum Height at Standard Level: 2,727m (8,947ft) at 700mbD. Estimated (by SFMR or visually) Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 104kts (~ 119.7mph)E. Location of the Estimated Maximum Surface Wind Inbound: 5 nautical miles (6 statute miles) to the SE (134°) of center fixF. Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: From 218° at 101kts (From the SW at ~ 116.2mph)G. Location of Maximum Flight Level Wind Inbound: 8 nautical miles (9 statute miles) to the SE (134°) of center fixH. Minimum Sea Level Pressure: 957mb (28.26 inHg)I. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Outside Eye: 10°C (50°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,045m (9,990ft)J. Maximum Flight Level Temp & Pressure Altitude Inside Eye: 17°C (63°F) at a pressure alt. of 3,038m (9,967ft)K. Dewpoint Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): 12°C (54°F)K. Sea Surface Temp (collected at same location as temp inside eye): Not AvailableL. Eye Character: Closed M. Eye Shape & Diameter: Circular with a diameter of 8 nautical milesN. Fix Determined By: Penetration, Radar, Wind, Pressure and TemperatureN. Fix Level: 700mbO. Navigational Fix Accuracy: 0.02 nautical milesO. Meteorological Accuracy: 1 nautical mileRemarks Section:Maximum Flight Level Wind: 115kts (~ 132.3mph) which was observed 17 nautical miles (20 statute miles) to the E (89°) from the flight level center at 14:41:00ZDropsonde Surface Wind at Center: From 245° at 18kts (From the WSW at 21mph)