Spectra Sensors Inc and WVSS II Meeting Background

Spectra Sensors, Inc and WVSS II Meeting Background David Helms NOAA/NWS/OST Insert Date 1

Outline • • Insert Date AMDAR (MDCRS) and WVSS I Post WVSS II Team WVSS II Planning WVSS II Phase 1 WVSS II Phase 2 and Beyond Assessment 2

AMDAR and WVSS • AMDAR (MDCRS) – A highly leveraged, high quality, and cost effective data collection (>200: 1 cost advantage to radiosonde) – Uses air carrier “enterprise” systems to sensor and collect observations, including: 24 Hour AMDAR Data over CONUS • temp and wind sensors • data processing (e. g. ACMS) • air-to-ground coms (ARINC/SITA) – Part of WMO World Weather Watch (WWW) Observing Network and GEOSS – Used in Numerical Weather Prediction for over 10 years • WVSS is an extension of AMDAR Insert Date 3

WVSS I 1995 -1999: • FAA AWRP and NOAA OGP Funded (>$10 M) • Sensor developed by Goodrich • Tested in 1999 on 30 UPS B-757 • Thin Film Capacitor Sensor • Result: – Sensors failed after 3 -6 months Insert Date 4

Post WVSS I - Regrouping 1999 -2001: • Lessons Learned: – RH uncertainty significantly increases as speed approaches high Mach # – Environmental stress rapidly degrades TFC sensitivity • Avoid TFC • But… need remains for trans -tropospheric RH sensor that is capable of <5% RMS for sustained operational use (23 years) Insert Date WVSS II Scene from the “Flight of the Phoenix” (1965) 5

Water Vapor Sensing System II Team Insert Date 6

WVSS II Planning 2001: • A new approach is developed: – Diode laser technology solves the Mach # problem and sensor stability • Spectra. Sensors takes the lead as the sensor developer 2002: • NWS provides WVSS II “seed” funding 2003: • Real-world field tests accomplished (BAMEX) Insert Date 7

WVSS II Phase 1 • AUG 04: Operational test and deployment plans developed • DEC 04: WVSS II STC is received from FAA • FEB 05: Phase 1 WVSS II installations commence and data is received in quantity • JUN 05: First Field Test Completed Insert Date 8

WVSS II Phase 2 and Beyond • FY 06: RFP solicitation • Approx $1 M for first year of deployment, potentially more in FY 07+ • Phase 2 field test in spring 2006 – Includes sensor software and hardware “fixes” identified during phase 1 • Target 1, 600 sensors deployed systems on national and international routes Insert Date WVSS II Intake and Diode Laser 9

Assessment • June 2005 Field Test assessment critical for showing system viability; reports from CIMSS in Dec 05; prelim results show good data through 6 km/500 h. Pa/18 kft • Model assessment will require 150 or more instrumented aircraft to have “economies of scale” impact from WVSS II (FY 08) Insert Date Radiosonde (purple) and WVSSII (black) Comparison April 26, 2005 10