JACKSONVILLE, FLA – The graphics program you see when you watch the Weather Authority track storms on television is now being used by the United States Air Force to help facilitate the safe launch of space launch operations.
WJXT is the only station in Jacksonville to use the Baron radar data display and now this technology helps the 45th Space Wing Weather Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base make critical weather forecasts for rocket launches.
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The advantage of the Baron Lynx data visualization tools, gives early warning to severe storms and allows our weather team to see the growth or collapse of thunderstorm cells in 3-dimensions.
This same technology will help Air Force meteorologists view storms to determine if weather conditions are safe for launch activities and other operations.
Joel A Ward, president of The JAAW Group, a Baron partner and the prime contractor for the project, said, “The weather radar location allows for an acute understanding of weather and how it will impact launches. In addition, the weather data will be critical to support decisions regarding risk to personnel and critical infrastructure, allowing the staff to make appropriate weather-based decisions to proceed or postpone a launch with confidence.”
Radar meteorologists from Baron who trained the Weather Authority in Jacksonville will also provide in-depth training as part of the installation in Brevard county.