Implementing METOC transformation applying autonomous agents

Abstract

To achieve integration of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) community into the developing FORCEnet environment, transformational innovations must be researched and implemented. Agent based software is an example of technology that can be employed in this way by changing the method by which METOC data is distributed to end-users. This thesis documents the creation and implementation of a software agent that uses Internet connections to retrieve numerical model data, loads this output into array data containers, and then makes it available to the end-user in a machinereadable forecast object format. The impact of the importation of this forecast object into warfare commander command-and-control software is then assessed using the commercially available SEAWAY logistics tool. This assessment highlights the importance of defining the METOC functional requirements for the emerging FORCEnet environment, so that proper interfaces to exchange data freely, and visually depict it, are incorporated during next generation software development. Using these types of agents to automate the generation and delivery of weather parameters could also allow the importation of data into previously insular software, provide reach-back support to the warfighter, and be a means of reducing manpower and budgetary requirements during this time of fiscal constraint.