Space Force Weather Services Research

The Space Force Weather Services Research program is dedicated to enhancing the Space Force's ability to provide essential environmental information for military operations. This initiative aligns with the 2022 National Defense Strategy by improving readiness through timely and accurate weather data, which is crucial for global battlespace situational awareness. The program seeks to boost the lethality, effectiveness, and survivability of Air Force and Space Force weapon systems by modernizing capabilities to predict environmental impacts on mission execution and planning.

A primary goal of this program is to integrate environmental data from diverse sources, including the Department of Defense, government agencies, commercial entities, and international partners. This integration enhances interoperability and mission integration across all domains. The program also emphasizes modernizing systems through advancements in architecture, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, alongside expanding agile software development practices. These efforts are organized under four capability areas: Weather Data Collection, Weather Data Analysis and Dissemination, Weather Forecasting, and Product Tailoring/Warfighter Applications.

A significant aspect of the program involves developing advanced scientific numerical weather prediction capabilities through initiatives like the Space Weather Analysis and Forecast System (SWAFS). SWAFS comprises a suite of models and applications designed to process space environmental data for forecasting purposes. Additionally, the program focuses on upgrading software such as the Radio Frequency Ionospheric Scintillation Application (RISA) to enhance compatibility with modern computing environments. These upgrades are vital for maintaining system resiliency and situational awareness in contested space domains.

The program employs various acquisition strategies to achieve its objectives, including Federal Acquisition Regulation-based methods and rapid acquisition contracting. Collaborations with institutions like Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Lab play a crucial role in developing solutions such as the Ionospheric Data Assimilation - Four Dimensional (IDA4D) model upgrades. These efforts ensure that the Space Force can effectively respond to space environment impacts on communications and other critical operations.