L3Harris Selected to Lead Advanced International Weather Satellite Study

By: L3Harris Technologies via Business Wire

April 07, 2022 at 09:00 AM EDT

Highlights:

Helps provide atmospheric data for Japanese forecasters and emergency directors
Continues development of next-generation weather sounders concept with infrared technology
Leverages demonstrated, highly-reliable technology to provide low-risk solution

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has been awarded a contract by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) for an advanced study which will significantly improve the accuracy and timing of Japan’s weather forecasting.

L3Harris will lead the geostationary hyperspectral infrared (IR) sounder study for the JMA’s future enterprise. The six-month design study began last month and allows L3Harris to evaluate geostationary sounder instrument concepts. Sounders are advanced spectrometers that produce high-resolution, three-dimensional temperature and moisture profiles from space. The study also will analyze performance, mature the design, and develop ground processing algorithms for prompt use of IR sounder data after launch.

"The data provided by L3Harris’ sounders and imagers improves both the accuracy of weather forecasting days in advance and real-time severe weather monitoring, which saves lives and property, especially for extreme weather which impacts Japan, such as typhoons, tsunamis, tornadoes, thunderstorms and micrometeorological events,” said Rob Mitrevski, Vice President and General Manager, Spectral Solutions, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “Our technology continues to play a critical role in improving severe storm tracking and warnings. The more levels of data, the better the forecast and monitoring.”

L3Harris’ most advanced hyperspectral sounder, the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), is currently flying on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). The second JPSS satellite is scheduled to launch this fall. Japan’s Himawari-8 and -9 satellites include L3Harris’ Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) onboard. AHI is similar to the Advanced Baseline Imager on NOAA’s GOES-R series of satellites – GOES-T launched in February. Last year, L3Harris was selected by NASA to lead a similar Formulation Phase study for NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite sounder.

L3Harris is the industry-leading provider of weather sensors flown by U.S. and international customers, including Japan and South Korea. The company’s advanced meteorological capabilities experts will be available during the 37^th Space Symposium April 4-7 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

About L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across space, air, land, sea and cyber domains. L3Harris has more than $17 billion in annual revenue and 47,000 employees, with customers in more than 100 countries. L3Harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about the value or expected value of orders, contracts or programs or about system or technology capabilities are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertaintiesL3Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.