RightSizing Project NextGen IOC Sensor Assessment Summary AJP-6830 1 of 64 December 1, 2009 RightSizing Project NextGen IOC Sensor Assessment Summary TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 3 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 Context and Motivation .....................................................................................................4 1.1.1 NextGen ......................................................................................................................4 1.1.2 4D weather cube ........................................................................................................4 1.1.3 Weather observation and forecast requirements to meet NextGen goals .................5 1.2 RightSizing Project Goals ....................................................................................................6 1.2.1 Assessment of Sensor Network ..................................................................................7 1.2.2 Identification of gaps based on functional and performance requirements ..............8 1.2.3 Development of master plan to meet NextGen weather observation requirements .8 1.3 Scope of this Report (FY 2009) ...........................................................................................8 2 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND SCHEDULE ....................................................................... 9 2.1 Timeline and Deliverables ..................................................................................................9 2.1.1 FY09 ............................................................................................................................9 2.1.2 FY10 and beyond ........................................................................................................9 2.2 Team Organization and Responsibilities ...........................................................................10 2.2.1 FAA Points of Contact ...............................................................................................11 2.2.2 NCAR .........................................................................................................................11 2.2.3 MIT LL .......................................................................................................................12 2.2.4 OU and IU .................................................................................................................12 2.2.5 Expanded team membership for FY10 and beyond ..................................................13 2.3 Data Sources ....................................................................................................................14 2.3.1 NOSA assessment and database ...............................................................................14 2.3.2 NSF Facilities Assessment Database .........................................................................15 2.3.3 NRC “Network of Networks” report .........................................................................16 2.4 OFCM ...............................................................................................................................16 2.4.1 NWS ..........................................................................................................................17 2.4.2 NOAA/ESRL MADIS system .......................................................................................17 2.4.3 Department of Transportation Clarus Initiative ........................................................18 3 SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................19 3.1 Approach ..........................................................................................................................19 3.2 Priorities and Limitations .................................................................................................21 3.2.1 Sensor and data ownership and access ....................................................................21 3.2.2 Sensors and their products .......................................................................................21 3.2.3 Sensor status ............................................................................................................22 3.2.4 Function and performance .......................................................................................22 3.2.5 Aviation hazards .......................................................................................................22 3.2.6 Coverage domains ....................................................................................................23 3.3 Terminology and Ambiguities ..........................................................................................23 3.3.1 Sensor and observation types ..................................................................................23 3.3.2 NAS domains ............................................................................................................24 3.3.3 Data characteristics ..................................................................................................24 3.3.4 Observing system “gaps” ..........................................................................................25 4 IOC ASSESSMENT AND INITIAL FINDINGS .........................................................................27 4.1 Sensor Catalogue .............................................................................................................27 AJP-6830 2 of 64 December 1, 2009 RightSizing Project NextGen IOC Sensor Assessment Summary 4.1.1 Sensor survey procedure ..........................................................................................27 4.1.2 Ground-based weather observing systems ..............................................................27 4.1.3 Wind-shear detection systems .................................................................................28 4.1.4 Weather radar systems .............................................................................................29 4.1.5 Satellite weather observing systems ........................................................................30 4.1.6 Space weather observing systems ............................................................................31 4.1.7 Aircraft-based observations ......................................................................................31 4.1.8 External risks .............................................................................................................31 4.2 Observing System Gaps ....................................................................................................32 4.2.1 Gap overview tables .................................................................................................32 4.2.2 The role of cost-effective human observations ........................................................46 4.2.3 Data access and utilization .......................................................................................46 4.2.4 Weather phenomena................................................................................................46 4.2.5 Space weather ..........................................................................................................48 4.2.6 Volcanic ash – not assessed in FY09 .........................................................................49 4.2.7 Environment – not assessed in FY09 ........................................................................49 4.2.8 Bird strikes and wildlife incursions............................................................................49 4.2.9 Boundary layer..........................................................................................................50 4.2.10 Oceanic weather .......................................................................................................50 4.3 Candidate Actions for High-Impact Gap Mitigation .........................................................50 5 Overview of Plans for the FY10-12 Period ........................................................................53 5.1 Sensor Survey and Gap Analysis ......................................................................................53 5.2 Mitigation Planning ..........................................................................................................54 5.3 Demonstrations................................................................................................................55 REFERENCES ..........................................................................................................................58 APPENDIX A: IOC Assessment Catalogue Parameters ............................................................59 APPENDIX B: RightSizing Team Member Biographies ............................................................62 APPENDIX C: List of Acronyms................................................................................................64 The RightSizing IOC Sensor Assesment Database may be found at http://wx.tc.faa.gov/rightsize/ sensorIOClatest.xls AJP-6830 3 of 64 December 1, 2009 RightSizing Project NextGen IOC Sensor Assessment Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY performance gap identification and analysis, as the finalized detailed performance requirements become This document summarizes the activities,