OVERVIEW OF DEPARTMENT MOBILE METEOROLOGICAL
EQUIPMENT AND
CAPABILITIES
B.1 General. Mobile meteorological programs of applicable Federal agencies are summarized in the following sections to establish a framework for Directory listings.
B.2 Department of Commerce (DOC). DOC has a variety of mobile systems, software and related capabilities. Mobile equipment support is also furnished to other Federal agencies.
B.2.1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS has a principal mission to plan and furnish basic and certain applied meteorological and oceanographic services to the public. Observations are received from surface, upper air, aircraft, and satellite sensors. Several mobile systems are used. The Micro Satellite Weather Information System (MICROSWIS) receives, processes and disseminates satellite imagery. It also has associated portable software. The C-105 Receive-Only Micro Earth Station (NWWS) disseminates weather data from NWS forecast offices to the public. The Air Transportable Mobile Unit (ATMU) provides equipment for field meteorological operations, such as fire weather forecasting, and has associated applied software. The Digital Pibal (DIGIPI) is a mobile upper air unit used in support to the Department of Energy (DOE). In support of marine weather services, NWS operates the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). NDBC furnishes real-time data acquisition. processing and distribution of meteorological and oceanographic data from moored and drifting data buoys as well as automated observing stations at selected coastal locations.
B.2.2 National Ocean Service (NOS). NOS, in association with the NOAA Office of Global Programs, the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, is establishing a network of 120 oceanographic/meteorological drifting buoys in the Southern Hemisphere. The buoys measure sea level atmospheric pressure and sea water temperature. Observations are obtained through the Argos data collection system. They are also a partner with the Office of Atmospheric Research (OAR) in the implementation of the TOGA Tropical Atmospheric Ocean (TAO) moored buoy array, which is a basin-wide array of moored Autonomous Temperature Line Acquisition System (ATLAS) buoys in the tropical Pacific reporting surface wind and air, sea surface, and subsurface temperatures.
NOS is a participant in the U.S. Interagency Arctic Buoy Program (USIABP), established to provide management structure and coordination to maintain a baseline network of drifting data buoys to provide operational and research data. Buoys within the array define surface atmospheric pressure, air temperature, and sea ice drift fields. Organizations that collaborate to support USIABP include NOS, OAR Office of Global Programs, Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), NASA, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
B.2.3 Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). OAR Environmental Research Laboratories (ERL) R&D programs support NOAA meteorological and space services and are oriented toward providing, understanding, and developing techniques and technologies to form the basis for improving weather services. Many of their efforts are in consort with other NOAA agencies as well as other departments.
OAR continues to develop mobile systems and associated software. The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), for example, is developing experimental mobile systems to measure meteorological elements associated with severe convective storms. The NOAA Wave Propagation Laboratory is experimenting with several radars, radiometers and lidars that can be transported. The Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) has developed a moored buoy that will measure meteorological parameters. The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) conducts integrated, interdisciplinary environmental research in support of resource management and environmental services in coastal and estuarine waters, with special emphasis on the Great Lakes. They are employing drifting buoys for several programs.
B.3 Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD has an in-depth involvement in tactical mobile systems, software, and ancillary/communication equipment. These capabilities have the potential to satisfy the needs of many Federal users. Emerging technologies for very small, low powered, flexible, and affordable meteorological sensor systems are offering the promise of replacing some existing systems, changing the temporal and spatial density of synoptic data inputs to environmental analysis/forecast functions, as well as modifying the way in which environmental data is collected. Of particular interest is the research effort to develop wristwatch size instrument systems using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The DOD Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA) is currently sponsoring a project that plans to deliver about 25 demonstration units, in late summer 1995, of an integrated sensing system with programmable operations. It will communicate to users using a wireless telemetry link. Open architecture and modular software is planned. Size will be about 5 cubic centimeters. Air temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, and acceleration along a single axis will be measured with MEMS technology sensors. The developed demonstration units will be furnished selected federal agencies for an evaluation which is expected to be completed within six months. Specific hardware systems that may evolve from these efforts will be included in future revisions of this Directory.
B.3.1 U.S. Air Force (USAF). The U.S. Air Force furnishes a complete meteorological observing and support program for USAF and specified U.S. Army (USA) units. Surface observations are taken automatically and manually at about 235 world-wide USAF and USA sites in support of operational analysis and forecasting. Observations at both Air Force and Army locations (fixed and tactical) are manually prepared with some atmospheric elements observed by instruments and some directly by the observer. Deployed weather teams are the basic units supporting users in a tactical theater. These teams provide surface and upper air observations (often by using tactical weather observing equipment), staff weather officer services, and forecasting support.
The USAF is significantly enhancing its tactical warfare weather support capability through employment of the Tactical Forecast System (TFS). This forecaster workstation exploits ground-based and satellite observations, receives baseline theater forecast products from weather centers, automatically integrates observations into the baseline theater forecast products, allows the forecaster to tailor products to customer mission requirements, and automatically passes the tailored weather information to command and control systems for dissemination. The TFS will provide decision makers the right weather decision information, at the right time, to enhance the effective employment of our forces.
The Weather Terminal Set (AN/TMQ-43), termed the Small Tactical Terminal (STT), is a small, lightweight, ruggedized, modular interoperable satellite receiver terminal that receives data transmitted by geostationary and polar orbiting Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) meteorological satellites.
B.3.2 U.S. Army (USA). The USA provides operational weather support to Army Research, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) functions through the Test and Evaluation Command (TECOM) Meteorological Teams (Met Teams).
USA Research Laboratory (ARL) at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, has a major involvement in mobile meteorological systems. As the Army's principal tech base developer of tactical meteorological systems and related software, ARL researches, develops and exploits atmospheric sensing technology to collect battlefield data. These remote sensing technologies collect battlefield data and detect various aerosol and gaseous atmospheric components. The Laboratory also develops battle weather data processing techniques to quantify the meteorology over the battle area. Additional research efforts produce advanced atmospheric characterization techniques and instrumentation, to assess the susceptibility of Army material and operations due to atmospheric conditions.
Artillery Meteorological Crews currently use the AN/TMQ-31 Meteorological Data System (MDS), to take upper air observations during tactical operations. The system consists of three, 5 ton trucks and a trailer mounted MJQ-18 power plant. Telemetry receiving and data processing equipment is housed in a S-280 shelter transported by one of the 5 ton trucks. The MDS measures/computes atmospheric parameters which effect artillery ballistic trajectories. Meteorological data is also provided to U.S. Air Force Weather Teams, and to the chemical officer to support nuclear, biological and chemical operations. The AN/TMQ-31 will be replaced by the AN/TMQ-41 Meteorological Measuring Set (MMS) in FY96. The AN/TMQ-31 MDS will be reissued to U.S. Army reserve component artillery meteorology sections to replace the AN/GMD-1. sections. The Q-41 MMS has the same operational capabilities and requirements as the Q-31 MDS. Q-41 telemetry receiving and data processing equipment will be housed in a S-788 Lightweight Multipurpose Shelter and will be transported by one of the sections three 1 1/4 ton High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle's (HMMWV's). This system will have a multi-radiosonde capability and will be powered by a MJQ-35 power plant (two 5Kw generators) mounted on a M116A trailer.
The Belt Weather Kit (BWK), although out of production, is used to take basic observations in the field. The Automated Meteorological Sensor System (AMSS) currently under development, may replace the BWK if program funding is available. The AMSS is a lightweight, man-portable or vehicle mounted system which will automatically collect and transmit surface weather information.
The Army, under joint agreement with USAF, issues tactical equipment and communications equipment to the USAF Weather Teams. Army major commands purchased off-the-shelf equipment to provide interim Army tactical equipment to USAF Weather Teams until the Integrated Meteorological System (IMETS) recently became operational. IMETS is an automated system that receives, integrates and processes weather data from multiple sources. It provides near real-time weather information and forecasts to other processors. IMETS is vehicle-mounted in standard military shelters. The USA Europe Automated Weather System (UAWS) is a tactical secure radio system which receives and transmits weather information, and receives weather satellite imagery. UAWS is mounted in a 5-ton truck with a shelter. GOLDWING, a system similar to UAWS, will continue to be used in conjunction with IMETS at locations where funding constraints do not allow IMETS deployment. It performs the same functions as UAWS but is light-weight and transportable in boxes by two men. The UAWS and GOLDWING are planned to be replaced or upgraded for use in exercises and contingencies.
Both the USA Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratories (CRREL) and USA Corps of Engineers (USACE) use mobile equipment in connection with field experiments. The USACE, for example, collects wave data near shore (50 km and closer) and in the Great Lakes in conjunction with other Federal and state agencies, as well as near-shore areas of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam. Data are used in development of a statistical description of local wave climate for engineering design.
B.3.3 U.S. Navy (USN). The U.S. Navy, operating in the atmosphere, oceans, and the interface between the two, has the unique requirement to integrate meteorological and oceanographic support globally. The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC) has systems fielded worldwide, with varying degrees of mobility, that observe, process, and/or receive/display meteorological and oceanographic data.
The Navy's permanent afloat meteorology/oceanographic (METOC) assets are OA Divisions embarked aboard major aviation-capable combatants and command ships. The core of the OA Division's suite of METOC equipment is the Tactical Environmental Support System (TESS(3)). TESS(3) is a computer-based interactive METOC data fusion system which receives, stores, processes, displays, and disseminates environmental data. The TESS(3) units receive data from ashore centers, remotely sensed satellite data and imagery from the onboard AN/SMQ-11 satellite data receiver/recorder, and local observational data from the Shipboard Meteorological and Oceanographic Observing System (SMOOS). The TESS(3) data base and applications software is provided from the Oceanographic and Atmospheric Master Library (OAML) and the Geophysical Fleet Mission Program Library (GFMPL). The AN/SMQ-11 acquires geostationary satellite weather facsimile (WEFAX) broadcasts and high resolution Defense Meteorological Satellite (DMSP) and NOAA TIROS satellite imagery. Local upper air sounding information is made available from a permanently installed Miniature Rawinsonde System (AN/UMQ-12) (MRS). The division is also equipped with Alden Marine Facsimile Recorders and a PC-based facsimile system (PCGRAFAX). Standard CD-ROM based climatology products, the Naval Oceanographic Data Distribution System (NODDS), and the PC Imaging Communications Systems (PICS) software programs are also part of the OA Division inventory.
The Navy's deployable METOC units are the Mobile Environmental Teams (MET). Located at the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Centers in Norfolk, VA; Rota, Spain; and Pearl Harbor, HI and at their Facilities in Jacksonville, FL; San Diego, CA; and Yokosuka, Japan. They are the primary users of the Navy's mobile equipment assets. They have their own portable sensing and display equipment, the heart of which is the Mobile Oceanography Support System (MOSS). MOSS contains modules for tactical meteorological and oceanographic forecasting, polar-orbiting satellite ingest and processing, alphanumeric and facsimile data receipt and display, and in situ data collection via the MRS and expendable bathythermograph probes. MET's may also deploy with the portable MRS and Alden Marine Facsimile Recorder. If required, they have the capability to install remote Navy Automated Meteorological Observing Systems (AMOS), which sense temperature, humidity, pressure, and winds and provide direct readout and/or telemetry of data via satellite.
The Navy Integrated Tactical Environmental Sub-system (NITES) distributes METOC data and products to nearly all Navy and Marine Corps activities afloat and ashore via the Joint Maritime Command Information System (JMCIS) network. A modular data management and distribution subset of TESS(3) and a segment on the Navy C4I network, NITES uses TESS(3) data and products to drive real-time tactical decision aids. The open system design of NITES provides complete interoperability with other DOD, Federal, and Allied command and control systems. NITES will be the basis for the Navy/Air Force Joint METOC Segment (JMS) of the new Global Command and Control System (GCCS).
MOSS is presently undergoing a migration towards a modular, interoperable system. It has been upgraded to include a lightweight and portable IBM Thinkpad 755CD notebook computer with an IBM Dock II docking station. This migratory version, known as MOSS-2, operates at 100 MHz and has the additional capability to ingest real-time observational data collected by AMOS. The follow-on system, MOSS-3, will be a modular data management and distribution system operating in a portable UNIX environment and incorporating much of the NITES functionality. In fact, MOSS-3 will be a NITES variant.
Other portable Navy systems include the Geostationary Satellite Imaging Display System (GSIDS), to receive, display, and manipulate low resolution geostationary meteorological satellite imagery; NODDS, to acquire and display the latest gridded data fields available from Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center's (FNMOC) numerical model analyses and forecasts; and PICS, for receipt of enhanced oceanic satellite imagery available from NAVOCEANO. In addition, Navy is finishing a cost and operational effectiveness analysis (COEA) and an Operational Requirements Document (ORD) for the acquisition of Supplemental Doppler Weather Radars. These radars will support Naval METOC mobile activities with aviation support missions outside of the NEXRAD coverage area. The Air Force has similar requirements for a tactical weather radar and is considering a joint acquisition. Procurement of these systems will begin in FY1996.
The U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office maintains Automatic Meteorological Observation Stations (AMOS) to collect surface weather observations in remote regions. Through the National Ice Center, the Navy participates in the U.S. Interagency Arctic Buoy Program (USIABP), which establishes and maintains a network of drifting meteorological buoys in the data sparse Arctic. The AN/WSQ-6 series satellite-reporting expendable drifting buoy is in development.
The Navy Oceanographic Data Distribution System is a PC-based software package developed to make numerical products from FNMOC available to front-line DOD users. Products from FNMOC's global data bases can be selected for user-defined regions and, using an off-the-shelf licensed communications software package, are transmitted as a series of compacted ASCII files. All standard meteorological fields and synoptic observations available from FNMOC can be displayed along with a wide number of oceanographic and satellite products. NODDS can overlay up to three different fields, display individual sequence loops, zoom for more detail, and produce hard-copy output. NODDS is available to the Federal Government and others in the civilian community through an agreement between Navy and NOAA. This version, referred to as NOAA-NODDS to distinguish it from the Navy version, makes available unclassified real-time weather and ocean analyses and forecasts generated at FNMOC to NOAA's National Ocean Service in Monterey, CA. Civilian customers are able to access this data using NOAA-NODDS software modules.
Optimum Path Aircraft Routing System (OPARS) provides a PC-based link to FNMOC to acquire tailored routing information for individual mission requirements. OPARS can calculate the fuel load needed to arrive with a specific reserve, maximum cargo for a particular flight, in-flight refueling requirements, maximum time on-station, mandatory over water reporting positions, and fuel usage for specific routes and/or altitudes. In preparation for a flight brief, route requests are forwarded to FNMOC by the servicing NMOC detachment. To determine the optimum route for an aircraft, OPARS integrates four data bases: environmental, air route structure, aircraft performance characteristics, and prohibited air space. A tailored flight plan is returned to the originator within minutes.
The Navy is in the process of streamlining its aviation support facilities and detachments by utilizing government and commercial off-the-shelf (GOTS and COTS) software and hardware to develop a METOC Integrated Data Display System (MIDDS). Consolidating and enhancing a variety of current PC-based packages, MIDDS is a proof-of-concept system which will integrate facsimile, satellite, alphanumeric, NEXRAD, and numerical weather prediction fields into a Windows-based user-friendly environment. MIDDS capabilities include simultaneous data ingest, multi-tasking through use of Pentium technology, a common user interface, LAN option, and a dial-in bulletin board feature.
B.3.4 U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). Marine weather information is vital to the operation of the USMC. The Marine Corps weather organization consists of two operational chains of command, one for garrison aviation weather units and one for the Fleet Marine Force. U.S. Marine Corps garrison aviation weather units are staffed with USMC meteorological personnel and function in a manner similar to Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Detachments. These weather units are integral to Marine Corps aviation activities and provide services to assigned activities and organizations, which include twelve major air stations in the U.S. and abroad. A Fleet Marine Force Weather Unit is also an integral part of each of the ten Marine Wing Support Squadrons. Full spectrum meteorological and oceanographic support is provided from Weather Support Teams (WST) attached to elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), including the employment of the Meteorological Mobile Facility (METMF). The METMF is van contained, transportable equipment that is currently under the cognizance of the Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command.
A cost and operational effectiveness analysis of a replacement METMF has been completed, and the system is nearing the demonstration and validation phases of the acquisition process. Housed in a 20 x 20 foot standard Marine Corps van and transported in a C-130, this system will provide a fully functioning weather office for Marine Corps expeditionary airfields. It will include sub-systems for data collection (MRS for upper air and a variety of local and remote sensors), data processing (modified TESS(3)), satellite image ingest and display (via the USAF Small Tactical Terminal contract), Doppler radar display, communications, briefing support, and support for remote forces.
B.4 Department of Energy (DOE). DOE performs various meteorological measurement activities at many of its laboratories to support accident measures, diffusion/dispersion studies, and other experiments and environmental monitoring related to their mission. Most of the DOE laboratories use fixed, instrumented meteorological towers and surface meteorological stations. Mobile towers and stations may be used on occasion to gather field data. DOC supports many of DOE efforts.
B.5 Department of the Interior (DOI)
B.5.1 Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec). BuRec activities include water scheduling, flood hydrology, irrigation project management, weather modification, and reservoir operations, as well as projects related to the development of wind and solar energy resources that require the collection and use of meteorological data. Currently, BuRec operates approximately 400 Data Collection Platforms (DCP) and collects near-real-time data through a NOAA GOES Direct Readout Ground Station (DRGS) in Boise, ID. A sodar, C-band radar, and radiometer are used in winter cold cloud seeding projects with NOAA in Texas, Utah, and California and other western states.
B.5.2 Geological Survey (GS). GS's Water Resources Division collects precipitation, stream flow, and other climatological data for a number of projects concerning rainfall/runoff and hydrologic processes. Currently, GS collects hydrometeorological data from approximately 1,800 GOES DCPs through seven DRGS.
B.5.3 Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM's Initial Attack Management System (IAMS) provides real-time data access and modeling for the fire management organization. The system enables rapid evaluation, assessment, and decision making capabilities for the BLM's wildfire responsibilities. The principal inputs are Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS)/Remote Environmental Monitoring System (REMS) meteorological data, Automatic Lightning Detection System (ALDS) information, vegetation, slope, elevation, and terrain data. The BLM's RAWS/REMS Program collects meteorological data from a network of 326 stations located throughout the 11 western states and Alaska. This network is comprised of three classes of systems placed at strategic remote locations. Data are collected primarily via the NOAA/GOES Data Collection System (DCS).
B.5.4 Minerals Management Service (MMS). MMS' Environmental Studies Program gathers offshore environmental data in support of mineral leasing responsibilities. The MMS supports data buoys which transmit via NOAA satellites. Wind data are used in the MMS' Oil Spill Risk Analysis Model to predict effects of potential spills.
B.5.5 National Park Service (NPS). NPS monitors air quality in several national parks and monuments. Approximately 20 GOES DCPs are used to collect these data. The Service has contracted research to develop and test models to assess long-range transport of anthropogenic pollutants including sulfur dioxide and sulfur deposition.
B.5.6 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). BIA collects atmospheric data to evaluate potentially irrigable Indian Trust lands in the Southwest.
B.6 Department of State (DOS). DOS has no direct mobile meteorological activities. It does have indirect roles through its international climate/meteorology policy making and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) activities.
B.7 Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT currently collects meteorological data through two of its organizations: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). The FAA uses few mobile sensors, and those used are mainly developed in NOAA Laboratories as joint programs. The USCG maintains meteorological sensors on several large navigation buoys, and the International Ice Patrol deploys drifting data buoys, equipped with barometric pressure sensors, in the western North Atlantic.
FAA, under the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), is investigating the applicability of micrometeorological stations for providing real-time information on highway conditions. Early emphasis has been on visibility sensors; however, the program has not advanced to the stage where equipment listings are available.
B.8 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some meteorological data are collected by EPA for model development and testing, as well as for field activities. Meteorological data collection may also be required of permit applicants, and states may be tasked to perform meteorological monitoring. Most of the systems/capabilities utilized were obtained from or are modifications of other agency efforts, or commercial off-the-shelf sensors.
B.9 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters Weather Support Office, through its Weather Working Group, has continued to improve NASA's weather support capabilities for both manned and unmanned launch vehicles. NASA's mobile meteorology activities are mainly related to (1) launch activities and (2) support to atmospheric modeling efforts. Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility support test rocket firings and other research instruments. Activities at Cape Canaveral are associated with space shuttle operations.
B.10 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). NRC licenses and regulates U.S. nuclear facilities. In conforming to NRC regulations and statutes, nuclear power plant operators measure local meteorological data using instrumented towers. These towers use off-the-shelf sensors, and are considered permanent installations.
B.11 National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF contributes to, or sponsors, numerous scientific meteorological data gathering programs. Many of these programs are international in character and involve a variety of mobile meteorological systems, software and related capabilities. Under sponsorship of the NSF, and in connection with the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), mobile systems and sensors were developed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Scripps Institute of Oceanography to collect data at sea. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), under the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), is responsible for the development and operation of several R&D category mobile meteorological systems. Many of these systems are joint efforts with DOC organizations.
B.12 Department of Agriculture (USDA). Many of USDA mobile meteorological activities use equipment developed by other agencies.
B.12.1 Forest Service (FS). FS collects and processes meteorological data to assist in the monitoring and control of forest fires and prescribed burnings as well as resource management decision making. The FS maintains about 400 RAWS, which are data collection platforms, over 100 automatic weather stations (AWS) and 900 manual stations in National Forests. Air temperature, humidity, soil moisture, wind direction and speed, and precipitation are recorded. BLM, located at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), downlinks the RAWS data that are transmitted via GOES telemetry.
B.12.2 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). USDA NRCS operates a network of about 1000 manual and 660 automated snow cover reporting stations, in conjunction with the Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) program, which primarily forecasts spring water runoff. Automated stations report snow depth, precipitation and temperature data via meteorburst telemetry to the NRCS Central Forecast System, Portland, Oregon, for processing and application. These systems are considered permanent installations, although the sensors could be adapted to mobile systems.