Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX) has provided a weather analysis platform to the U.S. Space Force to support launch operations at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and Vanderberg AF Base in California.
Raytheon’s intelligence and space business manages the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System as well as the Joint Environmental Toolkit for launch-related daily weather monitoring and forecasting activities, the company said Wednesday.
AWIPS ingests large amounts data from sources like weather balloons, maritime buoys and satellites. The tool is also interoperable with RI&S-built systems like the Joint Polar Satellite System Common Ground System and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, according to Raytheon.
Range Generation Next, a joint venture between RI&S and General Dynamics’ information technology business, uses tools like AWIPS as part of its launch and test range support contracts with the Department of Defense.
David Appel, vice president of defense and civil solutions at RI&S, said the company’s end-to-end weather technologies were designed to help operators determine "optimal conditions for a safe and complete launch.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service use AWIPS for managing weather data, while JET works to support the U.S. Air Force's meteorological information dissemination.
