Deployable Micro Weather Sensor

In order to develop a realistic common operating environment for both mission planning and operations, timely weather information is critical. Weather is a critical factor to mission success in our high tech era where the warfighter relies upon ever increasingly sensitive optical systems. Real time knowledge of the 3-D atmospheric cube in the battle space can lead to safer, more efficient operations. Numerical Weather Prediction models used to support in-theater operations require higher resolution meteorological observations to set their initial conditions. The more frequently and accurately these initial conditions can be acquired the more accurate forecasts will become. We describe a Deployable Micro Weather Station, that acquires basic surface weather parameters and feeds data into forecast models via satellite data links. It is designed for mission flexibility and can be hand emplaced or air-dropped. In the latter application, 4D weather data are acquired on the way down, enhancing its capabilities. Our approach leverages proven commercial off the shelf sensor and communications technologies as much as possible in order to minimize risk and ensure long term component availability at the lowest cost.