Demanding Tactical Military

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Versatile automated weather observation for Demanding Tactical Military

Military forces have a universal need for automated weather stations that can be rapidly deployed and used in diverse field operations. They have also tended increasingly to use commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products. Vaisala’s new generation MAWS201M Tactical Meteorological Observation System meets the versatile requirements of military forces, and is a genuine COTS product.

ilitary forces have a to be portable, capable of quick perature and relative humidity universal need for deployment worldwide, and and precipitation. In addition M rapid-deployment, operational in tactical situa- to the basic functions of pow- automated weather tions in a variety of environ- ering and taking measurements stations that can be used in di- ments. from the sensors, the verse field operations. Two systems can be con- MAWS201M also processes the Furthermore, they are increas- nected to a Windows NT- statistical calculations, per- ingly using commercial-off-the- based workstation via hardwire forms data quality control, logs shelf (COTS) equipment. The or radio modems. The work- data into a secure Flash memo- challenge is to provide COTS station displays the data nu- ry, and formats the data for Hannu Kokko, B.Sc. (Eng.) systems that can be easily merically and graphically, codes output in application-specific Product Manager shipped, installed and field-up- aviation weather reports in formats. Surface Weather Division graded with a variety of sensors METAR/SPECI, and archives The MAWS201M uses a 32- Vaisala Helsinki to give full aviation support ca- and transmits the data for fur- bit Motorola CPU, a 16-bit Finland pabilities in the METAR for- ther processing. A handheld A/D conversion, and advanced mat, for example. display is also available for software to ensure the continu- Vaisala’s new generation viewing all measured and cal- ous accuracy of the measured MAWS201M Tactical Meteorol- culated data while still in the data. The built-in quality con- ogical (TACMET) Observation field. trol software validates the sensor System offers all these capabili- data against the climatological ties, and is a genuine COTS High-performance limits set by the user, and the product. Basic System step changes between successive measurements. The modular de- Field-deployable The MAWS201M Basic System sign and efficient Built-In-Test weather station for is a high-performance system (BIT) diagnostics allow quick tactical situations fitted into a very compact identification, removal and re- equipment package built placement of defective LRUs The MAWS201M TACMET around a stable tripod design. (Lowest Replaceable Units) in System is a field-deployable, The system can be powered by the field. compact weather station, capa- mains power (AC) or by an in- The MAWS201M has 5 seri- ble of monitoring two general tegrated solar panel when al I/O ports for interfacing types of environmental para- mains power is not available. with intelligent sensors such as meters – meteorological para- Back-up batteries, which can be those used in enhancement meters (wind, air temperature, used for a minimum seven days configuration, and for trans- humidity, pressure, precipita- without charging, are also in- mitting data to users via land- tion) and aviation support pa- cluded. line cable and/or VHF or UHF rameters (cloud height and The MAWS201M interfaces radio modem. cover, visibility/precipitation with a basic set of sensors for The data can be presented type, thunderstorms/light- wind speed and direction, on either a handheld display ning). The system is designed barometric pressure, air tem- unit or a Windows NT-based

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• Real-time data display • METAR/SPECI coding and editing • Data and message storage • System diagnostics

Laptop PC with METAR/SPECI message out Software in to the Forecast System via serial line or LAN (FTP) y Needs Windows NT

Communications via land-line cable or VHF/UHF radio modem

Basic MAWS201M Basic MAWS201M Enhancements Enhancements (optional) (optional)

SYSTEM 1 SYSTEM 2 (OPTIONAL)

Figure 1. The complete MAWS201M System with enhancements and options.

workstation, both of which are pensate for uneven terrain. Its described in more detail below. installation is easier and faster, if no exact leveling is required. Versatile enhancements The cloud cover algorithm used in the CT25KAM is a fur- The Basic System can be en- ther development of the algo- hanced with sensors for cloud rithm specified by FAA. The height and cover, visibility, pre- cloud cover (amount) is report- sent weather and lightning de- ed in 0 to 8 octals, according to tection, all of which are needed the WMO (World Meteorol- for aviation support. The en- ogical Organization) regula- hancement sensors are all pow- tions. The cloud height/vertical ered by mains power, but have visibility accuracy is within 50 a back-up battery supply with feet in a range of up to 25,000 an in-built charger to support feet. In addition to reporting operation in the limited mode the standard four layers of for 24 hours. cloud, the system reports fifth layers in the remark fields of Cloud height and cover the METAR report.

Cloud height and cover is de- Visibility and tected by the CT25KAM, present weather which is a portable model of Vaisala’s FAA-approved (ap- The PWD11A visibility and proved by the US Federal present weather sensor evalu- Aviation Administration) ates the Meteorological Optical ceilometer known as the Range (MOR) by measuring CT25K. The CT25KAM has a the intensity of infrared light unique single lens design, mak- scattered at an angle of 45°. ing it lighter, more reliable and The scatter measurement is easier to maintain. The converted to visibility after a heater/blower window condi- careful analysis of the signal tioner ensures performance in properties. Special processing is all specified environmental used in the case of precipita- conditions, and under all pre- tion. The MOR range (visibili- cipitation types. It also signifi- ty) of the PWD11A is from cantly reduces the need for op- 10m…20,000 m. erator maintenance in the field. The PWD11A is a lightweight A special tilt sensor is pro- instrument designed to operate vided to automatically com- continuously with minimum Figure 2. The MAWS201M Basic System.

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maintenance. Condensation is optical intensity is proportional avoided by lens heating, result- to the volume of the reflecting ing in better performance in all particles. conditions and reduced operator maintenance. The PWD11A Lightning detection is quickly installed on the tripod of the Basic System. No tools The SA20 StrikeAlert Thunder- are required. storm sensor is designed to de- The present weather is also tect and locate lightning activi- measured with the same instru- ty within a 50 nautical mile ment. The PWD11A present range of the sensor. The SA20 weather detector uses the same is also an FAA-approved sen- sensing technology as the sor. FD12P present weather sensor, The SA20M detects lightning which is FAA-approved and occurring within clouds, be- has been found to be one of tween clouds and between the the best sensors in an extended clouds and the ground. The abili- comparison organized by the ty to detect inter-cloud activity WMO. allows the SA20M to detect The PWD11A software de- lightning during the buildup tects precipitation droplets from stages of a thunderstorm, before rapid changes in the scatter sig- sufficient charge buildup has oc- nal. The droplet data is used to curred to generate a ground estimate precipitation intensity strike. Consequently, the SA20M and precipitation amount. In provides early warning of poten- addition to the optical signal, a tially fatal, single-event, ground capacitive rain detector is used strikes. to estimate precipitation intensi- The primary functional com- ty and the precipitation type. ponents of the SA20M are the The output of the capacitive antenna, strike processor board Figure 4. The complete system can become operational in less than 30 minutes. rain detector is proportional to and main processor board. The the water amount on the capaci- antenna is mounted on top of a tive sensing surfaces, while the ground plane with the proces-

sor boards mounted below, re- tervals for display on the opera- Figure 3. The complete MAWS201M TACMET system with enhancements. sulting in a compact, single tor terminal or the handheld sensor lightning detection sys- test set. The data includes the tem. distance and direction of the The antenna is a set of closest lightning and the total crossed loop antennas and a count of the lighting activity vertical electrical field antenna. during the last 15 minutes. Circuitry to simulate a lightning strike at a predetermined Portable system range and bearing is integrated into the antenna for continu- The TACMET system is de- ous BIT purposes. signed for maximum portabili- To ensure proper function- ty and ease of use. The me- ing of all components, BIT is chanical parts are made of performed every four seconds. lightweight, but robust, an- The main processor initiates a odized aluminum and durable ‘test strike’ through the strike plastic. All cables, made of processor board and the anten- polyurethane, are fitted with na. This provides a complete quick release connectors mak- analog test of the antenna and ing installation and unpacking the strike processor. If the cor- quick and easy, even under the rect test result is not returned, most difficult conditions. an error condition is set and is System configuration and not cleared until a valid test re- site-specific parameters can be sult is obtained. set with the handheld terminal, The display/output messages or remotely with the PC work- generated by the SA20M in the station. current TACMET configura- The carrying cases are made tion use the standard METAR of cellular polypropylene reporting format. Output con- (EPP), which is lightweight but sists of a 15-minute ‘moving very rugged material. It pro- window’ of all reported light- vides excellent cushioning and, ning activity. Output messages after a shock or push, will re- are generated at five-second in- turn to its initial form by itself.

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VaisalaVaisala TechnologyTechnology forfor thethe U.S.U.S. AirAir ForceForce

aisala has received a major production order from the American company Raytheon Inc., to V supply the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with Tactical Figure 5. Real-time data display of basic parameters. Meteorological (TACMET) Observation Sys- tems. The order was obtained as a result of international competitive bidding and successful completion of USAF qualification tests. Deliveries started in August 2000. The cases are equipped with lated data from the Maws201M “The importance of weather conditions and their moni- handles, hinges and latches systems, automatically gener- toring is rapidly growing worldwide. This order serves as where padlocks can be used. ates METAR/SPECI reports an excellent international reference for Vaisala. We won The two carrying cases of the (aviation routine weather re- the international bidding because of our technological ex- Basic System weigh only 46 kg. ports) and interfaces with an pertise,” says Pekka Ketonen, President and CEO of operator. The data is archived Vaisala. Data displays for 30 days on hard disk and The system to be delivered is designed to measure and also distributed further to other collect meteorological data and to observe aviation There are two different types of systems via the serial port or as weather. The weather stations monitor air temperature, display unit available. Both an FTP transfer. wind direction and speed, relative humidity, air pressure, provide timely, real-time, in- The workstation software al- precipitation amount and type, soil moisture and tem- theater weather information for lows the user to edit the perature, lighting conditions, cloud height and cover, visi- users at the installation site or METAR reports with easy-to- bility and lightning. The system is designed to be capable remotely at a command center. use templates. The aviation of quick deployment and to operate in the most de- special weather reports (SPECI) manding conditions. Handheld display are automatically generated The TACMET systems are part of Vaisala’s range of whenever the relevant criteria is surface weather observation products. The technology of The QMD101M is a light- observed, or if initiated by the the weather stations is based on the company’s standard weight, rugged, easy-to-read, operator. products, which have been delivered to meteorological handheld display device. It has In addition, this software institutes and aviation authorities in various countries. ■ a 160 x 160 graphic LCD with provides real-time graphical backlight for night-time opera- data displays in multiple win- tion. The backlight setup allows dows. The stored data can be the user to adjust the number of viewed in the ASCII format. seconds before the backlight The Event Monitor allows the automatically turns off. operator to monitor system per- It provides paged screens for formance and sensor alarms. measurement and calculation In any configuration, up to results, an alarm screen that two MAWS201M systems can shows active alarms and a setup be connected to the Laptop PC screen for setting environmen- workstation using landline ca- tal variables such as time, date, bles, VFH/UHF radio modems station name, altitude, etc. or any combination of these. ■ The display is a low-power device. It is powered directly from the MAWS201M in the field, or from mains power in indoor use. The handheld terminal can be connected to the Basic System directly via cable or by VHF/UHF radio modems.

PC workstation software Vaisala’s Tactical Meteorological (TACMET) Observation System is a field-deployable, compact weather station for various The Windows NT software col- operations. Pictured the production facilities. lects the measured and calcu-

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