Weather Service

The Weather Service program, managed by the Air Force, aims to enhance the capabilities of the Air Force Weather Service (AFWS) in alignment with the 2022 National Defense Strategy. Its primary objective is to provide timely and accurate environmental information to support global battlespace situational awareness for various military branches and government agencies. This involves delivering critical weather data and climate assessments that aid decision-makers in gaining an asymmetric advantage during air and space combat operations.

A key goal of the program is to integrate environmental data from diverse sources, including DoD, commercial, and international partners, into AFWS systems. This integration supports improved analysis, forecasting, and mission integration while enhancing interoperability. Modernization efforts focus on upgrading sensors and information systems through advancements in architecture, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) initiatives. These improvements aim to optimize mission planning and execution by accurately predicting environmental impacts.

The program is structured around four capability areas: Weather Data Collection, Weather Data Analysis and Dissemination, Weather Forecasting, and Product Tailoring/Warfighter Applications (PTWA). These areas ensure a cohesive approach to managing activities. Notably, the PTWA capability area has been expanded to include software development for applications that directly impact warfighter operations. This includes leveraging cloud computing and AI/ML platforms for rapid software development and deployment.

In addition to these core objectives, the program supports various research initiatives such as Numerical Weather Modeling (NWM) and Weather Data Analysis Increment 5 (WDA Inc 5). These initiatives focus on enhancing weather prediction models using high-performance computing and machine learning techniques. The program also emphasizes collaboration with Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) for research support and management services. The Weather Service program seeks to deliver advanced weather capabilities that enhance operational effectiveness across multiple domains.