Tech Talk

September 2005

Meteorological Systems Bolsters Artillery Fire

edited by Robert H. Williams

The Army is purchasing from Smiths Detection, of Edgewood, Md., a next-generation, upper atmospheric measuring system—dubbed the Meteorological Measuring Set-Profiler—that delivers data three times faster than existing systems and expands the range of field by 200 percent, a spokesman says.

The profiler assimilates information from satellites, ground sensors and weather balloons. It offers updates every half hour and covers conditions exceeding 500 km of battle space, the upshot of which is significantly enhanced artillery fire accuracy.