In the meteorological field, testbeds are a critical mechanism linking research with operations. NOAA's testbeds have proven to successfully facilitate the transition of research capabilities to operations through testing and evaluation of new modeling capabilities, research results, and observational advances to improve forecast processes and decision support activities. The testbeds incorporate contributions from government, industry, and academic partners bringing together forecasters, modelers, and end-users in a quasi-operational setting where new forecast models and techniques are assessed, and where modelers benefit from the feedback they receive from operators and end-users on their models.
In this presentation, the importance of a formalized R2O2R process for space weather will be discussed with a focus on the NOAA testbed structure as a proven process to test new concepts and technologies designed to improve the prediction of weather, and accelerate the transfer of promising new models and tools from research to operations. The NOAA Aviation Weather Testbed will be used as a potential model for an essential component of a successful space weather R2O2R framework - a Space Weather Prediction Testbed.