Raytheon supports NOAA weather forecasting toolkit critical to hurricane warnings under $269M contract

DULLES, Va. Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) in Waltham, Massachusetts, will continue to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA's) Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), a toolkit that uses satellites and sensors to capture and hardware and software to ingest and analyze weather data to help boost aviation and public safety.

Under the $269 million contract, Raytheon's Intelligence, Information, and Services business will provide operations and maintenance services, hardware, software, communications, and architecture improvement services for AWIPS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service's (NOAA/NWS) weather forecasting data and display toolkit, to the National Weather Service.

Raytheon’s technology helps to produce and distribute useful visualizations and time-sensitive weather statements, such as watches and warnings, across the United States. Used by more than 140 National Weather Service field offices, the AWIPS program informs decisions that save lives and protect property during natural disasters.

"The AWIPS program provides meteorologists the tools they need to generate forecasts that save lives and protect property," says Matthew Gilligan, vice president of Navigation and Environmental Solutions at Raytheon. "This system is used every hour of every day and is especially important this hurricane season."

Over the last decade, Raytheon has partnered with NOAA and the National Weather Service to operate and upgrade the 24x7 AWIPS system used by more than 140 National Weather Service field offices.

Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government, and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

In September 2015, Raytheon delivered AWIPS II, the next-generation upgrade to the AWIPS system. The AWIPS update includes powerful new capabilities that help meteorologists deliver more precise forecasts sooner. As the architect of the AWIPS evolution, Raytheon designed, developed and deployed the system's next-generation hardware and software. AWIPS now supports forecasters in the field and responding on location to weather emergencies. It now features simplified code and system performance coupled with a reduced maintenance burden.

AWIPS capabilities include:

· Scalable from laptops to servers, enabling forecasters to work on location with emergency responders

· Data from all kinds of sources, such as weather radars and environmental satellites orbiting in space

· Highest resolution available from each sensor – enabling precision forecasts

· Open-source software enables low-cost maintenance, stability, and most importantly, continuous improvement to forecast accuracy and timeliness

· A variety of data types are processed in real time, allowing video game-like visualizations and interaction

· Maps display and re-project nearly instantaneously, with seamless scrolling and zooming

· Automated text generation allows weather statements — such as watches and warnings — to be issued rapidly to help protect lives and safeguard property

Features and benefits

· Raytheon manages the operations, maintenance and evolution of AWIPS, leading an experienced, reliable team of large and small businesses that support NOAA/NWS' initiatives and strategic efforts.

· Raytheon's Service Level Management Process defines a life cycle of continuous improvement grounded in open communication. It ensures that we respond quickly to changes in NOAA/NWS' scientific, technology, and business goals for AWIPS.

· Raytheon provides hardware, software, and communications services to the entire AWIPS network, including NWS Weather Forecast Offices, River Forecast Centers, regional headquarters, and Environmental Prediction Centers dispersed across the U. S. and its territories.

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