Honeywell’s Campaign at NOAA’s Sterling Center: Key Insights

In early 2024, Honeywell and NOAA entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to explore using HALAS ground system technology to make routine observations for NOAA’s needs. To assess its performance and utility in an operational setting, Honeywell deployed a HALAS ground system at NOAA’s Sterling Field Support Center, near Dulles International Airport, in April 2024.

During an extended measurement campaign from April 22 to July 27, 2024, the HALAS system conducted hundreds of soundings coinciding with 0Z and 12Z balloon soundings from the co-located WMO station 72403. The campaign results, which include comparisons with radiosondes, are presented. Notably, the HALAS system demonstrated the ability to detect transient wind and humidity layers in the troposphere that were missed by the twice-daily balloon soundings.

This presentation summarizes the challenges encountered, lessons learned, and opportunities for system improvements identified during the campaign, illustrating how the CRADA has enhanced the HALAS system’s operational capabilities and readiness.