Lockheed Martin engineers have completed installation of a XLS-band antenna at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam that will allow military commanders to receive real time weather information for operational use. This is one in a series of six installations around the globe under the U.S. Air Force MARK IVB program with remaining antennas to be installed in Kuwait and Hawaii by October.
“ This program enhancement allows the Air Force Weather Agency, its users and joint services to receive and exploit enhanced data to support tactical and national missions,” said Robert Kramer , Vice President of Operational Systems & Services with Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions-Defense. “Most importantly, these antennas will allow the agency to collect data from the new series of X band-capable weather satellites.”
The three-meter tri-band antenna will collect, process and provide moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data from the NASA aqua and terra earth observing system satellites. The new capability captures higher spatial and spectral resolution MODIS images and additional meteorological satellite sensor data to support national and tactical operations. The installation included construction of a tower and radome and installation of the antenna and computing infrastructure.
The Air Force Weather Agency delivers worldwide weather products to Air Force and Army warfighters, unified commands, national programs, and the National Command Authorities. The agency supplies weather products, training tools, and fields equipment to Air Force operational weather squadrons and combat weather flights and provides twenty-four hour technical assistance on all standard weather systems and equipment.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion. [mappress] Source: lockheed martin, June 23, 2011;