The Man computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) project began over 30 years ago at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to analyze and visualize data from the first generation of geostationary weather satellites. McIDAS continues to provide a strong data analysis and visualization capability for the current environmental satellites. However, the next generation of operational remote sensing instruments under development for the NPOESS and GOES-R programs require software tools with expanded capability and performance to support innovative techniques for developing algorithms, visualizing data and products, and validating results. A project is underway at SSEC to develop the fifth generation of McIDAS, a java-based, open-source system for multispectral and hyperspectral researchers and algorithm developers that will provide powerful new data manipulation and visualization tools to work in this data rich environment. NASA EOS MODIS and AIRS data as well as MSG SEVERI and METOP IASI data are now being used in conjunction with in situ and gridded data to develop new analysis and product validation techniques in the McIDAS-V environment. This new data analysis and visualization system will support both researchers and operational users of the advanced measurement systems on NPOESS and GOES R. A review of the current state of McIDAS-V will be presented as well as plans for future development to support both the U.S. polar and geostationary environmental satellite programs.