The Air Force Weather Agency’s Lt. Col. Michael Dwyer told reporters at Wednesday’s JEFX briefing that the Net-Centric Weather Initiative (NCWI)is designed to demonstrate the ability to provide near-real-time critical weather information directly to the cockpit via Tactical Targeting Network Technology, or TTNT. Aircrews flying TTNT-equipped aircraft would be able to directly access current data via “machine-to-machine” channels, eliminating the stovepiping that prevented weather from being fully integrated into CAOC processes. Now, said Dwyer, the weather input will be transparent. NCWI also works with the Web-Enabled Execution Management Capability (WEEMC), which enables numerous commanders to plan and execute time-sensitive strike missions.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…