Weather Impact Decision Aids (WIDA)

Weather Impact Decision Aids (WIDAs) predict the effects of weather and other environmental factors on the performance of electro-optical (EO) (infrared, visible, and laser) weapons systems. WIDAs will be used to support mission planning and execution . This report summarizes development progress from August 1998 through August 1998. The WIDA program is broken down into two software development programs. The Weather Automated Mission Planning Software (WAMPS) will be a demonstratable system showing how weather decision aids can benefit mission planning. The Target Acquisition Weather Software (TAWS) will be fielded to replace the aging DOS-based Electro-Optical Tactical Decision Aid (EOTDA) software. TAWS takes advantage of the latest hardware and software technology improvements and will integrate advances in environmental effects modeling. TAWS will also leverage developments already underway at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in its Infrared Target Scene Simulation (IRTSS) and Night Vision Goggles Operations Weather Software (NOWS) programs. Together, these programs will significantly enhance support to the warfighter. When hundreds to thousands of sorties may be flown over a very short period of time using precision guided munitions, automation and inclusion of weather effects is essential.