Wind Retrieval, Calibration, and Validation of Veery Fledgling v0.6 Ocean Vector Winds for Naval Applications

There is a global shortage of Ocean Surface Vector Wind (OSVW) data that hampers weather forecasts, endangers fleet operations, and delays crucial cyclone warnings. Current ocean wind data either blacks out in extreme weather or has revisit delays above 30 hours, leaving warfighters vulnerable as extreme weather rapidly intensifies. Care Weather is developing the Veery scatterometer, a small satellite radar capable of measuring wind speed and direction over the ocean surface with performance comparable to larger satellites at a fraction of the size, making a rapid-refresh constellation affordable.ÝIn this Phase I project, we will study the feasibility of calibrating, validating, and post-processing OSVW data from a low-cost, subscale pathfinder called Fledgling Veery for operational use by the Navy. We will refine models of the Fledgling measurement system, study its performance in extreme conditions including high winds and rain, and develop strategies for calibration and validation. These activities lay the groundwork for future Navy assimilation and use of Fledgling winds in Phase II and full-scale Veery winds in Phase III.