AWIPS Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) for Commissioning

The National Weather Service (NWS) is preparing for commissioning the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) beginning in early 2000. AWIPS forms the center of operations at the field offices in the NWS' Stage 2 modernization effort. AWIPS is the primary integrator of all data products and services at all NWS field sites while providing capacity for local modeling and applications.

In preparation for commissioning AWIPS, the NWS conducted an extensive Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) encompassing system performance, communications, maintenance, and forecaster acceptance during May and June of 1999. The OT&E for Commissioning evaluated the system against the extensive commissioning criteria to determine whether the system is ready for commissioning. This paper will describe the results of the OT&E in assessing the system performance in field operations and its readiness for commissioning.