Profiler

Abstract

The Profiler provides meteorological (MET) wind speed, wind direction, temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity information required for use in the Advance Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). All of these are required for precise targeting and terminal guidance. Profiler uses a numerical mesoscale weather model to build a four-dimensional MET model (height, width, depth, and time) that includes terrain effects to cover an operational area of 500 kilometers. By providing more accurate MET messages, Profiler will enable the artillery to have a greater probability of a first round hit with indirect fire systems. This capability increases the lethality of field artillery systems such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Paladin, self-propelled or towed howitzers, and mortars. Analysis determined that Profiler Block I satisfied the requirements of Profiler Block II leading to a decision to proceed directly to Profiler Block III. The Profiler Block I used a ground tactical meteorological (TACMET) sensor and MET data from the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) broadcast over communications satellites with the weather model to provide highly accurate MET data covering 60 kilometers. Profiler Block III replaces Profiler Block I and provides a networked laptop configuration that enhances system efficiencies and reduces the system's operational and logistics footprint with the elimination of support vehicles, trailers, external sensors and was tested out to the range of 500 kilometers. The Profiler Block III configuration consists of one computer with a common operating system co-located within the tactical Command Post (CP) with a direct interface to the CP local area network (LAN). The Profiler Virtual Module system can function in a manual or automatic mode allowing for an operator to manually create MET messages or for MET to be automatically generated in response to requests from any connected AFATDS computer. A significant Operations and Support cost is realized through this improved configuration. The Profiler Virtual Module will address emerging requirements and system long-term software sustainment challenges. The Profiler Virtual Module concept includes the following updates: update of the MET weather model which enables the use of Gridded Binary Version 2 data; update of software architecture removing legacy Block I code and creating a modular framework; development in conjunction with the AFATDS program, including AFATDS version II, to provide increased interoperability and usability; and to enable operation of the Profiler system in a virtual machine for use in the Common Operating Environment (COE) versions 2,3,4 and 5. This concept is a flexible approach that supports use of existing Block III hardware, increased accuracy during technical refresh of hardware with higher performance computers, and virtualization on the Command Post Computing Environment (CP CE) server. FY2016 Base funding in the amount of $2.108 million supports the development and coding of requirements for Profiler Virtual Module Common Operating Environment (COE) Version 2 in support of Command Post Computing Environment (CP CE) Includes conversion of the MET model for Profiler Virtual Module and support for the implementation of Digital Terrain and Elevation Data (DTED) upgrades and improved elevation algorithms. Formal Qualification Testing/Developmental Testing (FQT/DT) and Management Services will be required in FY16.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2016
• Source ID: L75_0604710A_5_2040_PB_2016

Tags

Readers

• Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Parallel and Distributed Computing.

Technology Areas

• Space