NOAA’s Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Telops USA to improve thermodynamic profile observations of the lower atmosphere using the Exosens/Telops ASSIST-II atmospheric sounder, a high-performance ground-based infrared spectrometer.
The CRADA focuses on integrating GSL’s specialized algorithm, called Tropospheric Remotely Observed Profiling via Optimal Estimation (TROPoe), directly into the ASSIST-II operating software. This integration will allow Telops to offer its users—including NOAA operational units—the most accurate retrievals of atmospheric temperature, humidity, and cloud information possible.
ASSIST-II is a ground-based system that collects detailed spectra of infrared radiance. NOAA scientists developed TROPoe to process raw ASSIST-II radiance observations and produce profiles of temperature, humidity, clouds, and trace gases. These observations are a key component for boundary layer research, including at new fire weather observing stations.
“Accurate measurements of the profiles of temperature and water vapor in the lowest 2 km of the atmosphere are absolutely critical to understand what drives the variability in this region of the atmosphere and how to model this variability in numerical weather prediction models used by NOAA” says Dr. Dave Turner, the senior scientist at GSL. “GSL scientists have already demonstrated the value of the ASSIST-II with TROPoe to improve NOAA’s experimental high-resolution weather model, and this CRADA allows potentially many more ASSISTs to be deployed and used by NOAA.”
As part of the initial phase of the collaboration, the ASSIST-II instrument will be deployed at a National Weather Service site in Virginia beginning in February 2026. The system will operate on site for approximately ten months, supporting real-world testing and validation of weather forecasting applications. During this period, the project will also focus on developing new software features that will be integrated into NOAA’s TROPoe atmospheric profiling software.
“This collaboration represents an important step forward in improving the accuracy of modern weather forecasting. By combining complementary technologies, the partnership provides the scientific community with stronger, more complete atmospheric data,” says Luc Rochette of Telops/Exosens. “Just as importantly, it creates new opportunities for weather services to enhance forecasting, monitoring, and informed decision-making. The result is more reliable insights that better support operational teams and the communities that depend on them.”
The CRADA partnership with Telops USA will help NOAA assess the potential of infrared spectrometer technologies, such as the ASSIST-II, for future operational use. By combining Exosens’ advanced sensing technology with NOAA’s scientific expertise, the partnership aims to contribute to more accurate and timely weather forecasts that benefit communities, industries, and public safety.NOAA regularly partners with private sector companies through CRADAs to conduct research and development work that is mutually beneficial and helps to accomplish NOAA’s mission. NOAA CRADAs are coordinated through NOAA’s Technology Partnerships Office.