A Demonstration Test Of The Modular Automated Weather System Maws

A microprocessor-based automated airfield weather observing and forecasting system called MAWS (Modular Automated Weather System) was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of modernizing many of the observing and forecasting functions performed in operational base weather stations. Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, was chosen as the demonstration site and operations were conducted from January 1977 through January 1979. Weather sensors at five observation sites around the airfields were polled several times each minute, the data transmitted over commercial, voice-grade telephone lines to a central supervisory microprocessor where the data were suitably collated, averaged and formatted for display on alpha-numeric display devices at key locations and for magnetic tape archiving for post analysis. The demonstration confirmed that modernized weather support can be largely achieved with state-of-the-art, commercially available hardware/software. Such a system would be compatible with other automation efforts in civilian weather services and other C-cubed efforts in the DOD. The advantage of spatially and temporally detailed weather information in marginal and adverse situations was documented. Sensor siting considerations were addressed in relation to specific weather elements and observational requirements. The contributions of automated met watch procedures and short-range guidance forecasts of RVR landing minima were demonstrated. Feedback on system performance and acceptability was obtained from cognizant AWS offices.