Meteorological Equipment

The Meteorological Equipment program, as detailed in Navy budget line item 4226, is designed to procure and upgrade meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) systems that support Navy and Marine Corps aviation, shipboard operations, and expeditionary forces. The overarching goal is to ensure the safety of flight, enhance operational effectiveness, and provide accurate weather and ocean data for mission planning and execution. This program encompasses a range of equipment and systems, including satellite receivers, surface observing systems, weather radars, unmanned undersea vehicles, tactical METOC applications, and hazardous weather detection capabilities. Procurement is coordinated with other Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian agencies to maximize interoperability and leverage national and international meteorological resources.

Upgrades to Environmental Satellite Receiver Processor Systems (ESRP) for both afloat and ashore platforms focus on ingesting and processing data from U.S. and international meteorological satellites, including the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), NOAA satellites, and the GOES-R series. Objectives include modernizing ESRP hardware and software to accommodate next-generation satellites and new sensors, as well as expanding frequency band coverage to X and C bands. These efforts ensure continued access to critical environmental data for operational decision-making and support integration with evolving satellite families and sensors.

Procurement and modernization of Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) and Supplemental Weather Radars (SWR) are vital for aviation safety and resource protection, providing real-time atmospheric data at Navy and Marine Corps air stations and operational units. Upgrades are driven by interagency agreements, such as the 2020 National Weather Service Interagency Agreement, and address end-of-life components, cybersecurity risks, and supply chain shortages. Planned upgrades include multiple ASOS and SWR units to ensure continued reliability and compliance with national standards.

The Littoral Battlespace Sensing Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (LBS-UUV) initiative aims to procure and sustain ocean sensor systems, specifically long-duration buoyancy-driven Ocean Gliders. These unmanned vehicles collect oceanographic data such as conductivity, temperature, depth, and currents over extended periods and are remotely operated by the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO). Planned procurement includes replacement gliders and upgrades/backfits to maintain fleet inventory and operational capability, compensating for losses and ensuring the Navy's ability to monitor and predict ocean conditions in support of undersea warfare and other mission areas.

Tactical METOC Applications focus on the Naval Integrated METOC Systems (NIMS), which deliver meteorological and oceanographic support to Marine Corps and Joint forces. NIMS integrates subsystems including Doppler radar, sensors, satellite receivers, upper air sensors, communications, and processing computers to collect, analyze, and disseminate METOC data. The system supports a broad range of warfare missions, including anti-submarine, mine, amphibious, surface, air, strike, and expeditionary operations. Planned funding provides for additional NIMS sensors, supporting real-time battlespace environmental awareness and tactical decision aids for mission effectiveness.

Hazardous Weather Detection and Display Capability (HWDDC) provides near real-time severe weather information to ship, strike group, and expeditionary group personnel. Integrated with shipboard radars, HWDDC enhances aviation and navigation safety and supports operational planning for weather-dependent activities. Planned funding supports installation and software upgrades for HWDDC systems, addressing hardware end-of-life issues and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

In addition to these primary procurement objectives, the Meteorological Equipment program includes production support, system installation, and prior year requirement consolidation to ensure continuity and sustainment of METOC capabilities. Planned budget actions reflect reductions in advisory and assistance services and civilian personnel to align with executive orders on government efficiency and workforce optimization. The program's objectives are to maintain and modernize the Navy and Marine Corps' meteorological infrastructure, ensuring timely, accurate, and relevant environmental data for operational safety and mission success.