Northrop Grumman begins work on USAF DWSS
Northrop Grumman Corporation has received authorization and funding to proceed on a Department of Defense weather satellite system projected for launch in 2018. The Defense Weather Satellite System (DWSS) will leverage the accomplishments and momentum of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program.
The company announced it received authorization from the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., to transition work from the NPOESS contract and proceed under the DWSS programme. DWSS will provide enhanced weather information critical to battlefield operations, and deliver it more quickly to the warfighter than current systems.
"For DWSS, we have defined an effective program plan that leverages the high level of maturity achieved on the spacecraft and sensors that are already in production, and we continually work closely with the Air Force to pursue efficiencies throughout the program," said Linnie Haynesworth, vice president and DWSS program director for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Our team is prepared to immediately execute a successful and affordable programme to bring this critical capability to the warfighter."
The DWSS is a critical successor to the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), which has been delivering weather data for military use since the mid-1960s. Timely completion of DWSS is essential to maintain continuity with the current DMSP satellites and establish a backup in the event of a launch or satellite failure on orbit for the remaining two DMSP satellites. Time-sensitive weather data delivered promptly is critical to military operations planning and warfighter and weapons deployment.
The DWSS is required to provide reliable, high-fidelity, near real time information about weather and environmental conditions around the world to inform aviation, naval, and coastal marine operations and land assets. DWSS will also provide information needed to protect space-based assets from solar and other space weather conditions.
Source: Northrop Grumman
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI]()
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
![Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker]()
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
