NWP is intended to ensure the improved safety, security and efficiency of National Airspace System operations by processing weather data and identifying possible safety hazards hours in advance. It should also help predict route blockages and anticipate airspace capacity constraints.
Combining information from weather radars, environmental satellites, meteorological observations, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s numerical forecast model output, the NWP system will be fully automated.
Under the contract, the Raytheon will continue its development, testing and implementation of the NextGen Weather Processor provide a single advanced weather processor and a common Aviation Weather Display. The system also includes an external web server to provide consistent weather data to external aviation users, says the company, including flight service providers and airlines.
The contract includes options that can extend the programme until April 2025.
The primary Raytheon Intelligence & Space work locations for the NWP effort are in Massachusetts, Nebraska and California.
See also: US Space Force extends Raytheon contract for OCX GPS capabilities
