Surface combatant integration of METOC data acquisition and product distribution systems within the IT-21 Communications Architecture

Abstract

In an at sea demonstration, a prototype shipboard environmental observing system and a meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) data distribution software package are combined with the Automated Digital Network System (ADNS) to highlight the benefits of instituting an integrated data collection and distribution suite to ships, battlespace managers, and the METOC community. Limitations of traditional METOC support, inaccuracies and inherent deficiencies of shipboard observations, and current U.S. Navy weather observing policies are discussed and recommendations are proposed to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and archival of METOC information. A conceptual model for METOC support to and from surface combatants using advanced sensors, innovative software, and IT-21 communications is presented.