Current navy applications of satellite remotely sensed data

The satellite programs office of the commander, naval meteorology and oceanography command provides guidance for acquisition, assimilation, and application of satellite remotely sensed data for navy meteorology and oceanography (METOC). Access to required satellite data through direct receipt or shared acquisitions is a primary mission. If data are not available from other military, civilian, or foreign sources, the satellite programs office supports future satellite programs such as Coriolus/WindSat. Algorithm development, data assimilation and fusion techniques, and display tools are also supported. Recent efforts include modification of navy training to provide up-to-date remote sensing techniques to enlisted sailors and officers in school and in the field. The naval meteorology and oceanography command provides METOC support to the navy in the form of global and regional analyses and forecasts of atmospheric and oceanic conditions and their impact on platforms, weapons, and sensors. Navy METOC also supports the analysis of hyperspectral data to determine the utility fir coastal applications such as bathymetry, submerged hazards, and visibility. Altimetry is used daily to provide an all weather look "into" the water column that is essential to determine the distribution of water masses and currents in the ocean. Visible imagery for R&D sensors is being used to determine the presence of dust, fire and volcanic ash in various regions of the world. Real-time organic acquisition of the data allows rapid processing of the data in tactical situations.