Ocean Systems Test and Evaluation Program

High Frequency Radar Surface Current Mapping

CO-OPS manages the Ocean Systems Test and Evaluation Program (OSTEP) to facilitate the transition of new sensors and systems to an operational status. Demand for real-time coastal oceanographic and meteorological data is growing quickly, so it is critical for these systems to be accurate, reliable, and cost-effective. OSTEP tests instruments to ensure that they meet CO-OPS requirements, develops operational deployment and implementation processes, and establishes quality-control criteria.

Each new sensor added to the suite of oceanographic instruments brings additional liability and exposure. OSTEP provides critical quality assurance on the "front end" of the data-collection and distribution effort. OSTEP develops defensible justification for the selection of instruments used for CO-OPS installations, and subsequent validation procedures for the devices traceable to U.S. National Standards or other accepted standards.

OSTEP is a matrix-managed program and consequently draws upon all CO-OPS resources. The success of the program is a tribute to the dedication of all CO-OPS personnel who have enthusiastically accepted additional tasks to improve NOS products and services.