MM5/WRF

MM5 is a numeric weather model developed by NCAR and Pennsylvania State University. It is designed to simulate and predict mesoscale atmospheric circulation. NCAR runs the MM5 model and converts its output to GRIB format. The GRIB output files are delived to the FCS using the TENA communications protocol. FCS uses the MM5 output to create a realistic synthetic environment for acquisition tests.

4DWX

4DWX refers to four-dimensional weather systems and technology. The four dimensions are x, y, z, and time. NCAR provides high-resolution and timely weather data to the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). ATEC uses the weather data in support of operational testing and WMD counter-measures. 4DWX is now in use at seven ATEC ranges. 4DWX encompasses Real-Time Four-Dimensional Data Assimilation (RT-FDDA) and Global Meteorology On Demand (GMOD).

4DWX-SLAC

SLAC (Solar-Lunar Almanac Core) is software developed by the Astronomical Applications Department (AAD),U.S. Naval Observatory. With a collaboration between NCAR, FCS and the U.S. Naval Observatory, the 4DWX meteorological products are enhanced with celestial object positions, moon phase, solar and lunar illumination and soil moisture saturation computations for given regions and times of interest. The 4DWX model simulated hydrometeors are used to estimate the attenuation of solar and lunar illumination. The 4DWX-SLAC, Parachute Drift Modeling and UAV Applications are just three examples that NCAR extended their FCS support from pure meteorology to more derived products and tools that are highly needed by military operations.

GRIB

GRIB (GRIdded Binary) data format was developed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to provide a compact and extensible means of transferring large volumes of gridded data. "Gridded data" refers to the geographical layout of the data points: the numeric values represent measurements taken at regularly-space intervals in X and Y, or latitude and longitude. GRIB is used by NCEP and NOAA to deliver their data products.

TENA

TENA stands for "Test and Training Enabling Architecture." TENA is a standard communications protocol required by the U.S. Department of Defense for communication between system components. It is a CORBA-based protocol suitable for delivering data and command across distributed networks in near-real-time. The TENA Middleware was written in C++ by Object Sciences Corporation, who continues to maintain the software base. At the heart of any TENA-based project is an Object Model that encapsulates the data to be exchanged among components. Applications may publish information by changing the state of the Object Model, and any subscribing applications will be notified of the changes. TENA is used by the U.S. Army to manage distributed tests among ranges across the United States.

Parachute Drift Model

A parachute drift model was developed for calculating the air release point for a dropped payload. This model used the wind speed and direction analyzed or forecasted by the 4DWX model to determine the parachute drift at a number of vertical levels. The model was used to calculate air release points over White Sands Missile Range in September 2005.

UAV Applications

In 2005, potentials of the 4DWX model in support of UAV and/or other special aviation controls were evaluated and demonstrated. Since flight missions in either battlefields or military bases are most vulnerable to adverse weather processes. The 4DWX model system, with its flexible relocatability and its ability to provide high- resolution and accurate current analyses and nowcasts, can provide critical information to the small-scale flight needs in regions where operational aviation weather supports are not available or are inaccurate. A preliminary set of weather variables, including icing, turbulence and convection, can be diagnosed from the model output.

Doppler Radar BL Wind Analysis

NCAR/RAL VDRAS (Variational Doppler Radar Analysis System) is capable of retrieving the boundary layer wind fields using Dopper radar data. High-resolution and accurate boundary layer winds are highly needed by many military tests and operations.