GOES-R Support to U.S. Army Weather Applications Donald Hoock, Civ, US Army

Computational and Information Sciences Directorate Battlefield Environment Division

GOES-R Support to U.S. Army Weather Applications

Donald Hoock, Civ, US Army

U.S. Army Research LaboratoryComputational & Information Sciences Directorate

AMSRD-ARL-CI-EEWhite Sands Missile Range, NM 88002-5501

(505) 678-5430; Fax: (505) [email protected]

3rd GOES-R Users Conference, 12 May 2004, Broomfield, COFor Session 6A: Serve society’s needs for weather & water information


Outline

1st GOES User Conference Revisited – Weather requirements across 11 Battlefield Functional Areas

Latest METSAT parameter requirements matrix

Army Transformation

- Changing Army weather information requirements for the GOES-R era

- Key weather information providers to the Army


• Special Operations Forces – infiltration/exfiltration, situation awareness • Infantry – visibility, paradrop, human exposure, urban smoke and canopy MET• INTEL – weather analysis for Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB):

inputs for mission planning forecasts and near real time mission execution nowcasts, command and control decision aids, and impacts on intelligence collection - surveillance - air/ground reconnaissance systems

• Aviation - air assault, attack, and reconnaissance; unmanned aerial vehicles• Logistics - littoral & land weather effects on road & rail resupply, rear operations, • Air Defense – locating weapons sites, target acquisition range and tracking• NBC Officer – Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosives

hazard prediction• Engineers - terrain analysis, hydrology, mobility, river crossing, smoke ops • Field Artillery – ballistics; target area weather for Precision Guided Munitions• Armor – terrain & weather effects on trafficability, visibility, target acquisition• Signal – Atmospheric and space weather limitations on terminals and signal

transmission

Timely, accurate weather including METSAT information supports 11 Battlefield Functional Areas


AD

ARM

AVN

ENG

FA

INF

INT

SIG

LOG

SOF

NBC

Cloud Base Height X X X X X X X X X

Cloud Cover/ Layers X X X X X X X X

Cloud Effective Particle Size X X X X X X X X

Cloud Ice Water Path X X X X

Cloud Liquid Water X X X X X X

Cloud Optical Thickness X X X X X X X X

Cloud Top Height , Press, Temp X X

Land Surface Temperature X X X X X X X X

Normalized Diff Vegetation Index X

Snow Cover/ Depth X X X X X X X

Vegetation/ Surface Type X X X X X X X

BFA Legend:AD = air defenseARM = armorAVN = aviationENG = engineersFA = field artilleryINF = infantryINT = intelligenceSIG = signalLOG = logisticsSOF = special operationsNBC = chem/bio

Cloud and surface state parameter information identified in Battlefield Functional Area (BFA) requirements

Data requirements identified through Army schools and centers

From 1st GOES User Conference


AD

ARM

AVN

ENG

FA

INF

INT

SIG

LOG

SOF

NBC

Aerosol Optical Thickness X X X X X X X X X

Aerosol Particle Size X X X X X X X X X

Precipitable Water X X X X X X X X X

Precipitation Type / Rate X X X X X X X X X

Pressure (surface & profile) X X X X X

Suspended matter (atmospheric dust, smoke,..) X X X X X X X X X X X

Total Water Content X X X X X X X X X

Surface Albedo X X X X X X X X

Solar Irradiance X X X X X X X X

Downward short and longwave solar radiation, Absorbed Solar radiation (TOA), Outgoing longwave radiation (TOA)

X X X X X X X X



Aerosols, precipitation and solar radiation data identified in Battlefield Functional Area (BFA) requirements



AD

ARM

AVN

ENG

FA

INF

INT

SIG

LOG

SOF

NBC

Currents X X X X

Fresh Water Ice X X X X X X X

Ice Surface Temperature X X X X X X X

Littoral Sediment Transport (incl. water jump visibility) X X X

Mass Loading(incl. water jump visibility)

X X

Ocean Wave Characteristics X X X

Sea Ice Age and Sea Ice Motion X X

Sea Surface Height/ Topography X X X

Surface Wind Stress (stability) X

Net Heat Flux (atmos stability) X


Sea state and atmospheric stability data identified in Battlefield Functional Area (BFA) requirements




Specific quantitative requirements for these parameters are still being staffed through the Army

The following two slides show some examples.

These are still draft.

Many additional quantitative Army requirements for the atmosphere, ocean, land surface state and space weather categories will be available soon.

(G = Global; H = Hemispheric; C = Continental; M = Mesoscale)


H = theater or smaller area of operation G = synoptic or hemispheric area.

DRAFTGeo-

graphic Cover

age

Vertical Cover

age (km)

Vertical Resolution

Horizontal

Resolution (km)

Mapping Accuracy (km)

Measurement

Range

Measurement

Accuracy

Re-fresh Rate (min)

Data Laten

cy (min)

ImageryObjective:

Threshold:

H, G, C, M

N/A N/A 0.1

(0.65 night)

0.25 - 0.75 km

15 10

N/A N/A0.4(2.6

night)

1- 3 km 60 15

Cloud Cover

Objective:

Threshold:

H, G, C, M Sfc-20

50 m (Sfc - 2 km)

150 m (2 - 6 km)

300 m ( > 6 km)

0.25 0.5 0-100% ± 5% 15 10

Sfc-15 5 1 0-100% ± 10% 60 15

Cloud Type

(Obj / Thres)

H, G, C, M Sfc-20 N/A 5 1 ID: water,

ice or mix by type 15 10

Sfc-15 15 60 15

Cloud Layers

(Obj / Thres)

H, G, C, M Sfc-20

30 m (Sfc - 1 km)

150 m (1 - 3 km) 300

m ( > 3 km)

0.25 0.5 0-20 km

± 30 m (Sfc-2 km) ± 150 m (2-

20 km)

15 10

Sfc-15 5 1 60 15


DRAFTGeo-

graphic Cover

age

Vertical Cover

age (km)

Vertical Resolution

Horizontal Reso

lution (km)

Mapping Accuracy (km)

Measurement

Range

Measurement

Accuracy

Re-fresh Rate (min)

Data Laten

cy (min)

Atmospheric Vertical

Temperature Profile

Objective:

H, G,C, M Sfc-30

30 m (0- 3 km)

300 m

(3-10 km)

600 m (> 10 km)

1 0.5 180-325°K

± 1°K(0-15 km)

± 2°K

(15-20 km)

15 10

Threshold: Sfc-20 10 1 60 15

Absolute Vertical Moisture Profile

H, G,C, M Sfc-20

30 m (0 - 3 km)

300 m (3-10 km)

600 m (> 10 km)

5 1 0-70 gm/m³

± 10%,

15 10

Wind (Horizontal

Component)

Objective:

C, M Sfc-30

250 m (Sfc-2 km)

500 m

(2-6 km)

1 km (6-20 km)

1 0.1 0-325 kph

1 kph, 3° (0-2 km)

3 kph, 3° (2-20 km)

15 10

Threshold: Sfc-20 20 25

Relative Humidity(Surface)

(Obj / Thresh)

C, M Sfc 0.5 km 1 ± 5% 60 15

10 ± 10% 60 15


Weather Parameters in Tri-service IWEDA by Class (“3,500 impacts” rule set) Navy critical weather impact

parameters are similar but focus more on ocean state and visibility

Army

Navy

Critical Weather Parameters most frequently appearing in Integrated Weather Effects Decision Aids

Army

(Visibility restrictions include obscuring clouds and low ceilings, as well as reduced visual range

due to dust, fog, precipitation, etc. )


Today’s Army Tactical Weather Battle Command System – Integrated Meteorological System (IMETS)


Today’s IMETS supports the “Division and Above” Tactical Operations Centers (TOC), Special Operations

Forces and Aviation Brigades

Key Point: The Air Force broadcasts 3-D gridded MM5 forecasts, global surface and upper air observations, 2-D forecast products and METSAT by commercial communications satellite – Products are primarily isolated in the local TOC


GOES Data on Army Battle Command Digital Map Overlays

GOES - Water Vapor Band with Forecast Wind Barbs and Temperature

GOES - IR Band and Forecast Wind Flow

METSAT digital overlays displayed on Army Battle Command System

(ABCS) Common Operational Picture (COP)


LA

Army IMETS GOES Receivers are replacing the Air Force Small Tactical Terminal (STT) (in Phase-out)


Value-Added – Updating the forecast and enhancing data resolution refines the Impact Decision Aid

Comparing forecast, nowcast and objective analysis of impacts on UAV operations – This illustrates the value of timely data such as METSAT inputs to support mission execution


Overlaid METSAT helps confirm the red-green-amber impact decision aid map overlay (here a forecast for “red” weather impacts on helicopter operations to the northeast)

Storm clearing out to NE early

The timing of storm passage – Exit of a storm out of the region more quickly than forecast means that “red” impact warnings to the south (here forecast against UAV operations) can be removed early

The timing and extent of fog - Display of METSAT observed fog (gray processed areas in NE quadrant) with forecast fog (wide spread yellow areas) from the IMETS 24-hr old forecast - showing differences in clearing rates

METSAT can provide critical information to confirm or update the numerical forecasts and decision aids

(prototype products)


Mission Area Most Recent

(Last 6 HRs) 0-6 HRs 6-12 HRs 12-18 HRs 18-24 HRs 24-48 HRs 48-72 HRsHF Comm Red Red Red Green Red Amber GreenUHF SATCOM Red Red Red Green Red Amber GreenSHF SATCOM Red Red Red Green Red Amber GreenMissile Warning Red Red Red Green Red Amber GreenGPS Green Green Green Green Green Green GreenCOMINT Red Red Red Green Red Amber Green

24-Hour Forecast 2-3 Day Outlook

Space Weather: Mission Impact Decision Aids Matrix 24-72 hour forecast of space weather impacts to warfighter missions

Satellites provide space weather forecasts that are critical to Army communications

• The Army receives its space weather products from the Air Force• GOES-R future Space Environment Sensors (SEISS / SIS,..) can help satisfy this requirement


FOC-03-03: “Advanced Collection, Processing, Analysis, Management and Sharing of Information”

– Army Capstone Requirement – (TRADOC PAM 525-66, 30 Jan 2003)

Based On; “A layered network of advanced sensors that sense multiple domains”

“Soldiers and leaders will be empowered with timely, accurate information about terrain and weather, and will receive accurate, timely, up-to-date digital map information of the battlefield.”

“Units will be able to receive and disseminate terrain and weather information immediately throughout the Area of Operation, even while en route, to gain the advantage at all times…”

New Army Requirements Documents clearly identify the value and need for accurate weather information

Note: This requirement was also adopted in the Operational Requirements Document for the Army Future Combat System (FCS ORD – 30 Aug 2002)


FOC-10-01: “Understand the Battlespace Environment” – Army Capstone Requirement –

(TRADOC PAM 525-66, 30 Jan 2003)

“Understanding the Battlespace Environment is real-time understanding of the environment (space, air, water, land, subterranean), including terrain, weather, infrastructure, hazards, populations…”

“Terrain and weather form the foundation of the Common Operating Picture - the summation of critical combat information within the battlespace.”

“Accurate terrain and weather products, with great spatial and temporal detail, will be a necessity for supporting network sensing, mission analysis, and the military decision making process.”

New Army Requirements Documents clearly identify the value and need for accurate weather information


INSCOM / OWS

2-way Net

Centric Comms

IMETS will be absorbed into an INTEL System: Distributed Common Ground Station – Army (DCGS-A)

DCGS-AWeather Software Modules

for INTEL AnalystWx impact analysis,

running estimate, realtime data, UAV ISR,

CROP updates, and mission

executionTDAs

UEx/UA UA

Soldier Weather Client

Subscription Push / Pull

SOF

Significant Changes Under Army Transformation

Higher Echelon Command in Units of Employment (UE) and Highly Mobile Lower Echelon Units of Action (UA)

INTEL- MET analysis at lower UA echelons

2-way Net

Centric Comms

MET SupportJET (IMETS WEW)

AF Combat Wx Team WS

- Weather Services

UEx /

UA


Air Force/Army Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET) Workstation will absorb the IMETS Weather Effects

Workstation (WEW)

Common Toolkit

Air Force Strategic Center

Operational Weather Squadron (OWS’s) at Hubs & Combined

Air Ops Centers

Combat Weather Teams (CWT’s) Deploy with the Army

JETNTFSIMETS

Com

mon H

MI

JWIS OPS II

Increment 1 Focus

WDAC JET Interface

+

Air Force Software is undergoing a major

consolidation with IMETS Weather Effects Workstation

Software and IWEDAConsolidation of workstations will reduce maintenance and training


AF/Army Combat Weather Teams will continue to provide forecast and IMETS/JET products on the DCGS-A at UEx much as they do now


The INTEL Analyst at UEx / UA will have direct access to weather and impact Decision Aid products as “actionable intelligence” updated by

METSAT and real time “Current Weather Forward” data


DCGS-A – integrated, responsive weather support from Air Force Weather Agency & Operational Weather Hubs thru “current weather forward”


Battlespace Environment Visualization

4.1.6. Visualization. DCGS-A shall provide relevant information and intelligence on the red, grey, terrain, and weather to all Objective Force elements [DCGS-A ORD]

Distributed Common Ground Station – Army (DCGS-A) will be the Army INTEL & Natural Environment Workstation

4.1.6.4 DCGS-A in all configurations shall have the capability to create, display, and dynamically update 4-D (width, depth, height, and time) red, grey, terrain and weather visualization products. (Threshold = Objective) [DCGS-A ORD 0059]

Weather is an INTEL function


In the NPOESS and GOES-R eras High Rate Data (HRD) will be down linked from the Air Force. Low Rate Data (LRD) may be available in the field for direct downlink at middle echelons (Unit of Employment).

DCGS-A Requirements for METSAT Data are Explicit

DMSP, NOAA and GOES satellite imagery are currently registered over the Joint Mapping Toolkit

and animated for displays

Access to Hi-rate data – NPOESS, GOES-R and Foreign METSAT

4.1.14.3 DCGS-A in all configurations shall have the capability to access to high-resolution secure and low-resolution METSAT information within 30 minutes (T) 15 minutes from sensing on orbit (O). [DCGS-A ORD 0196]

Mexico Forest Fires, Summer 1998


Space Weather Data Collection and Dissemination

4.1.14.8 DCGS-A shall have the capability to receive and disseminate space weather impact products (in near-real-time) from Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) (T). The capability to receive future space weather impact products and real-time measurements from ground-based (passive and/or active) space weather sensors from forward-deployed locations (O) [DCGS-A ORD 0201]

Direct receive METSAT Requirement

4.1.14.2 DCGS-A in a unit of assignment must have direct reception capability of high resolution secure military polar-orbiting and low-resolution unsecure civil geo-stationary meteorological satellite (METSAT) imagery and special sensor data within 10 minutes of sensing by the METSAT. (T) Shall receive high-resolution secure and low-resolution METSAT information within 5 minutes from sensing on orbit. (O) [DCGS-A ORD 0195]

West Texas Dust Storms, 4 May 1999

High Rate Data will likely not be collected by the Army but disseminated from Air Force Ground Terminals


Army Corps of Engineers Analysis and Decision AidsTerrain analysis and operational support Hydrological analysis and flood forecasts Mobility and trafficability Digital Topographic Support Services Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield

NATO Reference Mobility Model(Maximum speeds and “No-go” areas)

Soil Moisture and Snow Depth – whether measured or derived

remain key maneuver parameters for the Army

Combat Engineer Analysis in Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)

TIMELY APOGEE MET DATA

TIMELY TARGET MET DATA

TIMELY LOCALMET DATA

Weather SatelliteTUAV

UAV

• Wind Profiling Radar or LIDAR

• Radiometer

FCS Profiler

Army Artillery Weather - MMS Profiler [Block II (FCS UA) Configuration ]

Required MET Parameters: - wind speed / direction- Temperature, pressure, humidity

Key Performance Parameters: - MET message every 30 minutes- Target Area MET (60 km threshold, 500 km objective)

Artillery Meterology – Meteorological Measurement Set (MMS) -Profiler

Data

Atmospheric Model

Fire Control and

C4ISR Systems

Process Model Data & Received Messages

Surface MET SensorBalloon-Borne RadiosondeWeather Satellite Receiver

NOGAPSGlobal Positioning SystemBattlefield DomainDigital MapsDigital Topographic Data

MM5 Forecastalong the Trajectory

and in the Target Area

Targeting Requests and

MET Message RequestsProfile and MET

Message Generation

Common Hardware/Software- JTA-A/DII COE Compliant



Research Example:Sensor Fusion Application

Exploit High resolution vertical temperature and moisture profiles from GOES-R HES (~ 1 deg K rmse) with a passive ground-based radiometer to improve profile accuracy at all levels Profiler SBIR

A passive radiometer observing in the 20-35 GHz and 50-60 GHz bands has been delivered under an Army SBIR with Radiometrics

Corp., Boulder, CO, providing vertical profiles of temperature and profiles of liquid water and water vapor at 18 levels, cloud ceilings, and cloud thickness

information

Temperature and moisture profiles affect artillery, radar ducting, smoke and NBC transport


Future GOES Hyperspectral Environmental Suite (HES) sounder and Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) resolutions suggest excellent potential for supporting Army Artillery Meteorology:

• Accurate, high resolution temperature and moisture profiles down to the surface• Improved resolution for wind retrieval including cloud and moisture-drift • Frequent temporal updates• Issues:

- coverage in the Army’s tactical area of interest may be limited- access to hi-res data in the field (radiances are desirable over derived temperature, but require higher data bandwidths)- cloud cover limits visible and infrared sensor profiles- actual error of individual ABS profile retrievals near the surface and

tropopause will be worse than theoretical mean error

Artillery Meteorology - Potential for GOES exploitation


METSAT Support to Testing and Evaluation Range Operations

Developmental Test Command (DTC) Operates Nine Army Test Centers

U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground's Meteorology and Obscurants Division is the Program Manager for the ATEC Four-Dimensional Weather (4DWX) System

developed for use at U.S. Army test ranges performed in collaboration with the NCAR prototype 4DWX system provides:

Integrated archival, retrieval and display of all range meteorological data Displays of regional model output, global model output, and real time satellite updates Four-dimensional data assimilation (physics-based interpolation in time and space of both internal and external meteorological data) High-resolution mesoscale model forecasts for the scheduling and conducting of tests.


Conclusions

The Army is well into the process of transformation

Army weather systems may look different in the GOES-R era than they do now, but METSAT requirements will remain solid

Current Army Operational Requirements Documents and Force Operation Concepts cite requirements in detail for real time weather updates that support METSAT and forward deployed sensors

GOES-R will better support INTEL, Artillery-MET, space weather and Army range operations requirements

The Air Force will continue to support the Army with Combat Weather Teams, gridded forecast products and high resolution METSAT data

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