Weather System Follow-on

Abstract

In FY2021, PE 1206422F, Weather System Follow-On efforts were transferred to Appropriation 3620, Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Space Force, PE 1206422SF Weather System Follow-On from Appropriation 3600, Budget Activity 04 due to the creation of a new Appropriation for Space Force. Based on completion of the Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) Memo 092-14, capabilities will be developed to satisfy weather gaps for which no known mitigation exists. Weather System Follow-on (WSF) is a component of SBEM efforts to develop capabilities to satisfy weather Gap 3 Ocean Surface Vector Winds (OSVW), Gap 8 Tropical Cyclone Intensity (TCI), and Gap 11 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Energetic Charged Particles (LEO ECP). Gap 3 OSVW and Gap 8 TCI require a space-based microwave sensor to provide polarimetric ocean surface wind direction and speed required for naval sea operations, as well as fighter sortie generations and marine amphibious operations. Gap 11 LEO ECP requires in situ ECP sensor for space situational awareness. The earliest possible launch options are being integrated in the design for critical gaps. DoD established WSF as a Pre-Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) with the Air force as the lead component. Based on the SBEM AoA results, the WSF initial thrusts will be to enable: 1) DoD use of data collected by civil, international and other DoD space systems; 2) Timely weather collection over broad oceans in support of maneuvering forces; 3) Space weather capabilities to characterize operational orbits, space situational awareness, and the ionosphere. Secondary investments may be supported to address weather gaps identified in the SBEM AoA and validated by the JROC. The Military Application of the Space Environment (MASE) is a program to demonstrate mature space environment technology to improve combat operations. MASE will enhance regional ionospheric specification (nowcasts) and predictions (forecasts) affecting signal propagation paths. MASE uses traditional and non-traditional ionospheric measurements in advanced space environment models to forecast and predict impacts to weapon systems. Contributes to satisfying Gaps 4 and 7 of the SBEM AoA results as supplemented by the AFRDM 02-17-02 (SBEM JDCR). MASE was a new start in FY 2019. Space acquisition must respond with speed and agility to emerging adversary threats. Space & Missile Systems Center (SMC) is transforming the organization and implementation of space acquisition to an enterprise approach, maximizing innovation and resiliency, leveraging international, commercial, and mission partnerships,and managing program/project priorities according to an integrated unclassified/classified enterprise space architecture. Expanding the appropriate acquisition authorities and contract mechanisms to deliver capability sooner, SMC will strategically execute experimentation, prototyping, risk reduction, and other efforts to develop new or repurpose capabilities. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver WSF weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392F and 1206398F. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment. This effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 1206422F_4_3600_PB_2021
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2019: -$4.547M SBIR transfer; -$4.905M transferred for higher AF priorities. FY 2020: -$20.000M Congressional Directed Reduction for unjustified growth. FY 2021: -$54.748M; funds starting in FY 2021 were transferred from RDT&E, Air Force to RDT&E, Space Force.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force
• Artificial Satellites
• Charged Particles
• Contracts
• Earth Orbits
• Environmental Monitoring
• Low Earth Orbits
• Military Acquisition
• Military Applications
• Situational Awareness
• Space Based
• Space Environments
• Space Force
• Space Situational Awareness
• Space Systems
• Space Weather
• Spacecraft

Fields of Study

• Environmental science

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Space
• Space - Satellites