Weather Observation Forecast

The Weather Observation Forecast (WOF) program is a critical Air Force procurement line item focused on acquiring and upgrading meteorological equipment and information systems. Its primary objective is to support the 2022 National Defense Strategy (NDS) by enhancing environmental sensing and forecasting capabilities for the Air Force, Army, Special Operations Forces, Space Force, combatant commands, the Intelligence Community, and other government agencies. WOF investments are designed to rebuild readiness, improve force lethality and resilience, and enable joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) through a dependable environmental observing network.

The program is organized into two major capability areas: Weather Data Collection Systems and Weather Forecasting. This structure ensures a systems-oriented approach to program management, integrating both hardware procurement and information system upgrades. The goal is to provide decision-grade weather information to optimize mission planning, execution, targeting, and battle damage assessment, while also enhancing the survivability and effectiveness of weapon systems and space assets.

Fixed Based Weather Systems (FBWS) is a key sub-program within WOF, responsible for managing automated weather sensor systems across Air Force and Army bases. FBWS collects essential weather data for aviation surface report generation and dissemination, supporting safe and efficient operations. Funding will be used to procure additional sensor systems and components, modernize the sensor fleet, and mitigate obsolescence by replacing legacy sensors with new multi-function aerosol and lightning sensors, and retrofitting unsupportable wind sensors. This consolidation effort also aims to reduce sustainment costs through a common sensor baseline.

Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) is a tri-agency initiative involving the National Weather Service, Air Force, and Federal Aviation Administration, managing Doppler weather radars. The Air Force owns and maintains NEXRAD systems worldwide. Funding will continue capital equipment replacement, including power management and communications components, to ensure continued resource protection, safe aviation operations, and integration into joint all-domain sensing networks.

Expeditionary Weather (ExMET) provides scalable, tactical weather solutions for first-in/on-the-move operations in contested environments. ExMET delivers integrated sensing, forecasting, and communications capabilities aligned with contingency plans and agile combat employment. Funding will procure tactical sensors, such as advanced weather sensors and next-generation Integrated Weather Observing Systems, as well as forecasting and data processing workstations that leverage deployed communications. These investments replace legacy systems that are no longer suitable or sustainable for modern operations.

Numerical Weather Modeling (NWM) is the core of the Weather Forecasting capability area, providing advanced scientific numerical weather and extreme weather physics modeling, including AI/ML-based prediction capabilities. NWM supports global and regional forecast products for mission planning and execution, with a focus on clouds, theater-scale weather, aerosols, and hydrology. Funding is directed toward extending the service life of high-performance computing systems, adding graphical processing units (GPUs), and expanding storage to close critical IT hardware gaps. These improvements are essential for maintaining and advancing automated, high-resolution forecasting in both classified and unclassified environments.

The WOF line item is justified by its role in ensuring environmental battlespace awareness, resource protection, and interoperability with DoD, allied, and interagency partners. The program also supports financial audit requirements and addresses Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues. By investing in both fixed and expeditionary weather systems and advanced modeling capabilities, the Air Force aims to maintain a robust, efficient, and technologically current weather observation and forecasting infrastructure to support joint and coalition operations worldwide.