Raytheon, a business unit under Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX), has embarked on a significant endeavor with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The focus of this collaboration is to enhance the United States' capabilities in predicting water resources, a move that NOAA believes could be pivotal in improving emergency alerts, saving lives, and reducing the economic impact of major storms.
Under a substantial four-year, $80 million task order, Raytheon will closely collaborate with the National Weather Service (NWS) to innovate and transform key components of the NWS' prototype Next Generation Water Model Framework. This framework, a sophisticated cloud environment, will enable NOAA scientists to rapidly access and analyze data, a crucial step in advancing water resources forecasting.
Miller and his team at Raytheon are primarily concentrating on the engineering aspects of this framework. Their goal is to enhance the tools available to the water resources enterprise and NOAA, ensuring seamless integration and functionality. This project builds on the nearly two-decade-long business relationship between Raytheon and NOAA, which has seen significant collaborations like the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) and the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC).
The new contract with Raytheon will see the provision of critical capabilities supporting the three main sectors of NOAA and NWS: weather, water, and climate enterprise. These efforts are integral to the advancement of the science and application of weather and weather forecasting.
Shevy Greene, a program manager for Next Generation Water Prediction Capability at Raytheon, emphasized the project's focus on increasing forecast skill for the National Water Model. This model's enhancements are expected to reflect regional variations in weather patterns and their impact on waterways.
An impressive aspect of this initiative is its scale. The completed project will serve every community nationwide, offering enhanced river forecasts for over 3.4 million miles of waterways. These forecasts will take into account local nuances in how different types and amounts of precipitation affect specific areas, a key factor in understanding flood risks.
One of the significant challenges identified by the team is the need for higher resolution mapping. This advancement is expected to provide more accurate data for forecasters and scientists, which in turn, will enhance planning and emergency response strategies.
The complexity of this task does not deter the team. Miller noted the challenges but also emphasized the potential benefits. By developing and testing the migration of data to the cloud, Raytheon aims to empower NOAA in addressing the needs of communities across the nation more effectively. This capability is crucial for decision-making in various water-related events, from floods to droughts.
Miller succinctly summarized the project's goal: to provide more actionable and reliable information faster. This improved data quality is expected to lead to better decision-making, ultimately benefiting people across the United States in managing water-related challenges.
Related Links
RTX
Water News - Science, Technology and Politics
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
